Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Use caution on steep leeward slopes where blowing snow has built textured wind slabs. Fresh drifts will be most sensitive, while older slabs will be larger and could break unexpectedly. Avoid triggering avalanches below ridgelines and cross-loaded gullies by sticking to sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have shifted and blown soft snow onto leeward aspects several times over the past few days. While slabs that formed on north and east-facing terrain in the past 48 hours will be harder to trigger, they’ll be larger and stiffer. They may propagate wider than fresh, soft drifts. They may break above you or in unexpected ways. New slabs may form on south and west slopes where you see blowing snow throughout the day. Assess before you dive in. Steep terrain features that encourage drifting such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions deserve consideration. Dense, textured surfaces that feel hollow or crack around you on test slopes are clues that you could trigger an avalanche in bigger terrain. Sheltered terrain at lower elevations has softer snow and safer riding.

    (1/19/2023)

    Small intentionally triggered wind slab

Avalanche Discussion

Shifting wind and new snow resulted in small, sensitive wind slabs yesterday. Winds remained strong from the northeast above treeline overnight. Tioga Pass reports the most new snow: around 10 inches. 

Wind slabs that formed on all aspects over the past 48 hours rest atop sun crusts and old wind board. Recent observations mention blowing snow and wind-affected surfaces at all elevations. Drifts that developed further down the slope, or in usually sheltered areas may rest atop dense, settled snow with weak grains on top.

On very steep slopes in the most sheltered terrain, and where the most new snow fell, you might trigger small sluffs. These could be a concern above terrain traps that increase the consequences of getting pushed around by moving snow. If you’re lucky enough to find deep powder, use caution in confined gullies where you can’t let the sluff pass you by. Watch out for cliff bands, creek beds, and deep tree wells downhill. 

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