Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Pockets of sensitive Wind Slab may develop as Southwest winds increase throughout the day.  If you see blowing snow, watch for a nearby new wind deposit that could be sensitive to a human trigger. An old stubborn isolated pocket of Wind Slab may also be found that could lead to a bad fall in extreme terrain.   

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    After a brief switch to northeast, we had a good period of calm to light winds yesterday. This gave wind slabs that formed during the period of very strong southwest winds on Friday and earlier in the week a chance to settle and stabilize, for the most part. Southwest winds are ramping back up throughout today with 70mph ridgetop gusts expected in the afternoon.  With the stripped-bare ridgelines and widespread firm conditions, new fresh sensitive wind slabs will be isolated to catchment areas adjacent to zones that still have loose snow. If you see blowing snow, be on the lookout for a nearby fresh wind deposit that could surprise you in steep terrain. These will most likely be found mid-slope on NW-N-E-SE facing aspects.

Avalanche Discussion

Today is our 4th day without measurable new snowfall, but the winds have been keeping us on our toes. Yesterday two sizeable natural wind slab avalanches were seen behind June Mtn that look to have released during the strong wind loading that occurred on Friday. One of these occurred in an area of steep trees typically thought of as a safer zone to travel during periods of heavy wind loading.  Click here for details. With winds forecasted to be stronger today than on Friday, we’ll keep conservative and keep the danger level at the low-end of MODERATE. Again, mid-elevation transition zones between sheltered and exposed terrain will be most concerning.

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