Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You could trigger a small wind slab on a variety of aspects today. In isolated start zones below alpine ridges, in couloirs, or in extreme terrain, the consequences of even a small avalanche could be magnified. Note blowing snow and evaluate hollow drifts before committing yourself to steep leeward slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Older slabs that formed last weekend have become difficult to trigger and our concerns have shifted to isolated and smaller deposits that may develop as variable winds move a few inches of new snow onto underlying crusts. Evaluate terrain that encourages drifting, such as steep slopes below ridgelines, and the entrances to alpine couloirs. Take note if you see blowing snow, rippled surfaces, rounded drifts, and hollow upside-down feeling snow. Keep in mind that even a small avalanche can have large consequences in complex and challenging terrain.

    Blowing snow near Tioga Pass.

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

A few inches of new and drifted snow may not bond readily to slick surfaces underneath. In localized areas where weather stations are reporting more than an inch of snow overnight, like Rock Creek and Tioga Pass, larger drifts could form in south-facing gullies as winds become more consistent out of the north today. 

Field observations have highlighted challenging and variable surface conditions. Wind board, supportable or breakable, exists at all elevations. Large, sculpted sastrugi and melt-freeze crusts are also common. In many areas, particularly south of Mammoth, winds have eroded the soft snow back to old hard layers or bare ground.  Tools like boot or ski crampons and an ice ax may be necessary equipment depending on where you want to travel.

Regions covered