Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Use caution on wind-loaded slopes near and above treeline. Watch for signs of instability such as recent cornice formation, shooting cracks in drifted snow, and recent avalanche activity. When in doubt, stick to protected areas with lower slope angles to limit your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Winds continue at moderate to strong speeds out of the north today before shifting back to a southerly flow tonight. Over the last two days, field observations have highlighted large wind deposits on polar aspects as well as bannering in the alpine resulting from our northerly winds. This means you may be able to find wind slabs on all aspects. Larger deposits on northerly and easterly aspects have been gaining strength since our last loading event, but are large in size. More recent deposits on solar aspects are likely to be smaller and more reactive.  In either scenario, the areas of most significant concern will be the leeward sides of ridgelines, confined alpine couloirs, and cross-loaded gullies. Blowing snow, growing cornices, and recent avalanches will point to the most dangerous slopes. Shooting cracks in stiffer, textured surface snow means you’ve found unstable wind slabs. Stick to lower-angled slopes and sheltered terrain to limit your exposure.

    (12/28/2025)

    Long-running crack on wind-loaded feature. N 9,000'.

    Photo: Sean Smollen

Avalanche Discussion

Winter sure showed up all at once over the Christmas holiday. Over the past few days, we have been able to take stock. A few days of quiet weather have allowed surface instabilities to settle relatively quickly, and field observations suggest settlement in the upper snowpack has allowed for more efficient movement.  Evidence of several large avalanches failing during the last loading event can be seen throughout the range, and recent human-triggered activity on Sonora Pass to the north of the forecast area underscores the need to consider what lies at the base of the snowpack.  

In northerly terrain near and above 10,000', old snow lingered before this storm cycle. In these areas, a robust slab of new snow rests on a facet crust combo near the ground. It is unlikely that the weight of a skier will be enough to initiate failure near the ground; however, a wind slab avalanche failing in the upper snowpack may be large enough to step down to this deeply buried weak layer. If initiated, the result will be a very large and destructive avalanche. To help manage the uncertainty around this structure, limit your exposure to avalanche terrain and avoid steep wind-loaded slopes near and above treeline.

The ESAC team extends our sincere condolences to the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol and the greater Mammoth community. It is hard to find the words to express our sorrow for the loss of a member of the ski community. Please keep Cole in your hearts as you move in the mountains and take a moment to share your love with those close to you.

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