Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet loose avalanches are the main concern today. Keep tabs on changes in the surface snow over time, aspect, and elevation. It is a good idea to stay off, and out from under, steep slushy slopes as the day progresses.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    You can expect to see surface snow melt quickly as the sun comes out this morning and air temperatures climb. The timing of wet snow instability is aspect and slope angle dependent. Expect wetter and weaker snow on slopes where solar radiation is concentrated. Areas near rock outcroppings, cliff bands, and tight rocky couloirs where the effects of warming are amplified will likely be the first to thaw. Wet sticky snow, rollerballs, pinwheels, and increasing boot penetration are all signs of surface warming and may foreshadow larger point-release avalanches. Be wary of overhead hazards today and be ready to retreat if the surface snow thaws causing you to sink deep into wet unconsolidated snow.

    (4/13/2023)

    Large loose wet avalanches

    Photo: Aaron Jones

Avalanche Discussion

Actual daytime maximum temperatures and the strength of the overnight refreeze are the two main sources of uncertainty. The past two days saw better-than-expected refreezes and better-than-expected snow stability due to cooling winds. Very little avalanche activity was reported. That may change today with lighter winds and a poor refreeze at higher elevations.

An inversion in air temperatures last night means that there was a stronger refreeze at lower elevations than at upper elevations. If out in the mountains today, you may notice strong snow on the approach to your objective but find the upper snowpack wetter and weaker as you climb in elevation.

Small wet loose avalanches may have higher consequences in confined or cliffy terrain that limits options to escape runouts and could concentrate debris flows.

Regions covered