Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Unstable wind slabs ranging in size and sensitivity are today's primary concern. The weak layers near the base of our snowpack may still be adjusting to the new snow load. Avoiding steep, wind affected slopes and overhead hazard is the best way to minimize your exposure today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Our region saw continued extreme wind speeds breaking 100 mph in many areas over the past 48 hours. Winds this powerful can distribute snow in strange ways; don't be surprised to find recent deposits on atypical slopes or in sheltered areas below treeline. Loose surface snow is -surprisingly- in short supply following the recent storm. Where there is snow available for transport, winds may be productive at creating unstable wind slabs today. Leeward catchment zones, mid slope depressions and gully features all deserve extra evaluation. Look for blowing snow and cornice formation as a sign of active loading. Stiff, hollow, textured snow and cracking underfoot can also clue you in to where this instability exists. It is important to remember that hard slabs can break above you and large wind slabs breaking near and above treeline could run into forested areas below. Sticking to sheltered slopes with no overhead hazard can help you minimize your exposure today. 

    (3/3/2024)

    Large wind driven avalanche on Mt. Tom, OBS 03/03. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    The weak layers in our snowpack may still be adjusting to the ample loading of the last 24 hours. Avalanches on these layers may break at the base of our snowpack with little warning and in unexpected ways. They could run long distances, entraining ample amounts of snow along the way. An avalanche on these layers may be more likely in areas where the snowpack is generally shallower, such as the northern and southern ends of the forecast zone, and in areas further from the crest.  Along the crest, and in the Mammoth and June Lake areas, these layers sit below a much deeper snowpack. While less likely, an avalanche on these layers is not out of the question. Sticking to slopes with a deep, uniform snowpack and avoiding areas with shallow trigger points, such as buried rocks or convex rollovers, will help you manage this uncertainty. 

    (2/28/2024)

    Snowpack structure in Lundy Canyon, pre storm. Weak layers present at base of snowpack. 

    Photo: Clancy Nelson

Avalanche Discussion

Our region saw an incredible amount of wind accompanied with the most recent storm. Wind despoits up to 8' have been reported in some places, and slopes that once held feet of snow are now scoured to the ground. With road closures and limited visibility, it has been difficult to access much of our terrain, and we are eager to get out there and see how this storm has played out. 

We can report many visible crowns and avalanche activity beyond traditional N - NE start zones from the areas we could explore south of Mammoth. However, the extreme winds were actively loading and scouring the crowns and debris fields, and it was hard to fully gauge what had happened. As winds decrease from extreme to strong today, we can expect more traditional wind loading patterns in areas with loose snow available for transport.

Plow services, emergency services, and road crews are still actively clearing road ways, parking, and structures in mountain communities. Please give them the space they need to do their work. 

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