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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Watch for wet loose avalanches on steep, rocky slopes that receive direct spring sunshine. Rollerballs are a good sign that the problem is getting worse. Move towards less-steep or shadier terrain as the surface gets wet to reduce your risk.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    After a warm night, the high April sun and warmer temperatures will melt the recent snow early. It could get wetter than it was yesterday. You're most likely to find wet loose avalanches where recent storm snow is transitioning from dry to wet on east, northeast, and north aspects. Avalanches will be more widespread in areas that recently got the most snow: Mammoth, Tioga Pass, Virginia Lakes, and other places near the Sierra crest. Look out for rollerballs and recent avalanches as signs of instability. Start early, and move to lower-angle slopes with minimal overhead hazards as the snow surface becomes wet.

    (4/5/2026)

    Fresh natural D1 wet loose avalanche on Lost World/No Name Peak. North aspect, 10,700 ft.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

After a small, windy storm brought us into April, people have been excited to get into high, steep terrain and find some cold winter snow. Wind slabs formed in that same terrain during the storm. Those slabs developed on slick, icy crusts in most places. However, we’ve seen small facets under these drifts in a few areas, which can help keep slabs sensitive for longer than you’d expect. People were surprised by wind slab avalanches on Friday as they rode steep chutes facing north to east above 11,000 ft. Forecasters for the past few days have been hunting down wind-drifted snow, and we’ve had a hard time finding instability. No new slab avalanches have been reported. Still, I’d consider the small possibility of a lingering wind slab avalanche if I were heading to extreme terrain. 

Elsewhere across the range, the recent storm snow was scattered. Only the most favorable terrain features have held onto it. Most surfaces are old, rough, melt-freeze crusts. These crusts have been thawing midday, and you can ride corn if you time it right. If you’re too early, you’ll likely find sharp tools like crampons to your advantage. Too late and wet snow could be deeper and more unstable than you’d like.

Rockfall has been reported recently, and it’s a good idea to keep your eyes on the cliffs above you. Lake ice and snow bridges are becoming more unreliable. Obstacles are reemerging as the remaining snowpack melts. Ah, the perils of Spring…

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