Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as sunny slopes warm. You may find isolated areas of instability in wind-affected snow at upper elevations. Assess conditions as you travel and choose shaded slopes to reduce your risk.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    With temperatures forecasted to get above freezing up to 11,500', the chances of triggering a loose wet avalanche will increase well into the afternoon. Steep, sunny slopes at low elevations will be the most hazardous terrain today. Near 10,000' yesterday, observers found 25cm of dry snow on a south-facing aspect sitting over a slick rain crust. As this dry snow warms and becomes increasingly wet, loose surface avalanches will become possible. Mushy snow and glopping underfoot are indicators that the surface is warming. Rollerballs are signs that the surface is already wet. For better conditions and lower avalanche hazard, start early, end early, and travel on shady aspects.

    (3/8/2025)

    Small intentionally triggered wet loose avalanche above the Rock Creek Road.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Triggering a small wind slab in isolated areas is not entirely off the table today. Recent variable winds have deposited wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations, with the freshest slabs existing on solar aspects. While these slabs have shown a stabilizing trend over the past few days, small pockets of wind-blown snow may still be present. Drifted snow may crack underfoot, have a hollow drumlike sound, and may exist on the leeward side of ridge lines and in cross-loaded couloirs. These avalanches are not expected to be large, but complex and exposed terrain will compound the consequences if an avalanche knocks you off your feet.

    (1/2/2026)

    Shooting crack on a wind-loaded NW aspect, 7800'.

    Photo: Sean Smollen

Avalanche Discussion

Our snowpack has been stabilizing since our last load. We haven't received any reports of avalanches since our last natural cycle on January 5th. Without feedback from deeply buried weak layers or from facets around the new year's crust, we expect only small, surficial avalanche problems. If cloud cover reduces solar warming, generally benign avalanche conditions will prevail across the zone.

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