Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

LOW danger does not mean NO danger.  Stronger winds and cooler daytime temperatures will delay the softening of slopes today and keep Loose-Wet avalanche concerns more limited to lower elevations and terrain sheltered from the wind. Continue to pay attention to warming snow surfaces as small Loose-Wet sloughs could still occur on Steep E to S to W aspects as they warm excessively from the sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another clear night without clouds led to a fairly good refreeze of the snowpack despite temperatures not reaching below freezing at lower elevations. Today’s high temperatures should be 5-10° cooler than the past few days. This combined with the noticeably stronger winds should keep slopes cooler for longer, but still not locked-up especially at lower elevations.  If the snow is becoming wet and slushy under your feet, you could trigger a loose-wet-slough on a steep slope.  Even small sloughs could take you off your feet and lead to a bad fall in consequential terrain. Pay attention to local conditions as they can vary dramatically from one end of the forecast zone to the other.      

Avalanche Discussion

More reports came in yesterday of skiers triggering small loose-wet sloughs in confined steep alpine terrain that could have taken the skier off their feet, or hit someone else lower down the slope.  With the backcountry becoming busier and busier, it’s important to think about how you may be affected or affect other parties above or below you. Recognize how quickly spring-time conditions can change and be flexible in your planning.  Be considerate and communicate with others as best as you can to expose one person at a time when loose-wet sloughing is a concern.  It may not be the best idea to boot up a narrow warming couloir underneath another party. 

Besides avalanche concerns, frozen firm conditions in the morning make crampons and ice axes/whippets prudent tools to use this time of year. Lower elevation terrain can also become quite manky and challenging to ski later in the day; be kind to those knees and ankles!

Recent Observations

-4/4 – June Area – Mount Wood: Loose-wet sloughing and warming snow.

-4/3 – McGee Creek – SE Gully of Mt Baldwin: Large Loose-Wet avalanche.

-4/3 – Mammoth Mtn – South Side: Warming snow conditions.

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