Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Generally stable avalanche conditions persist. Wet loose instabilities will become possible as the sun comes out and temperatures rise.  Get an early start, monitor warming surfaces as you travel, and reduce your exposure by moving to shaded terrain before surface snow becomes wet and unsupportable. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Clear skies and light winds allowed for a modest refreeze despite warm overnight temperatures. We expect partly cloudy skies, gusty winds, and unseasonably warm temperatures today.  Expect surface snow to soften more quickly today than yesterday. Wet loose avalanches may become possible by mid-morning and continue through the afternoon. You're most likely to find this problem on solar aspects and at lower elevations where adequate coverage exists. On polar slopes, you may find hard melt-freeze crusts in some areas, and transitional snow in others.  Recent avalanches, fresh roller balls, and unsupportable wet snow are all signs that wet loose avalanches are becoming possible.  You can minimize your exposure to this hazard by starting early and descending steep slopes or moving to more shaded aspects before surfaces become wet and unsupportable.

    Wet loose activity- Airport bowls- Convict area

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

Timing will be your most effective tool for managing avalanche hazard and finding the highest-quality skiing and riding. Ascend slopes while they are hard and frozen, and try to descend steep slopes or move to more shaded aspects before surface snow becomes wet and unsupportable. Looking ahead, we expect temperatures to continue to reach near-record highs over the next week, with modest refreezing at best overnight.  This will accelerate the melting process and shrink the window of time before conditions become wet and slushy. Keep in mind that access may involve dry land travel or very thin coverage at lower elevations. Creeks are open, the water is rising, and the lakes are becoming more hazardous at all elevations. Be careful where and how you approach water features. Consider bringing specialized tools, such as an ice ax and boot and/or ski crampons, to aid efficient and safe travel.  It remains a good time to explore deeper within the range or pursue more aggressive objectives, but keep in mind that even a small avalanche can have elevated consequences in extreme or exposed terrain. If you venture out today, monitor surface warming closely and build options into your tour plan that allow you to move to less exposed and/or more shaded aspects.

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