Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches big enough to bury you on wind-loaded slopes below ridges and in chutes. You’re more likely to get into trouble at higher elevations and on open, downwind slopes near Mammoth. A wind slab avalanche could step down to trigger weak layers deep in the snowpack. Sheltered terrain is a safer bet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You should be suspicious of any slope with wind-rippled texture. Steep slopes below cornices and in gullies will be problem spots. Most of the new snow fell at higher elevations and in the Mammoth area, where recently formed wind slabs will be larger, more widespread, and more sensitive. Triggering a smaller wind slab avalanche remains possible near or below treeline. Recent natural avalanches and shooting cracks in dense snow beneath your feet are warning signs to step back. Seek sheltered slopes with no exposure to wind-loaded terrain above you. As you’re considering your options, keep in mind that a smaller wind slab avalanche could be enough to trigger an unsurvivable slide that breaks on weak layers buried deep in the snowpack.

    (1/1/2026) A wind slab avalanche intentionally triggered on the Sherwin Ridge.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Our current persistent slab avalanche problem falls in the low-likelihood, high-consequence category. It’s unlikely that a human will be able to affect the old, rotten snow now buried 2 to 3+ feet down. However, new and drifted snow quickly loaded the same slopes that have a concerning snowpack structure yesterday.

    This is a complex problem. You might not get feedback like collapses or shooting cracks until, boom: an avalanche. The only real way to limit exposure to this problem is to avoid steep slopes where old snow is buried. Persistent slab avalanches can be triggered remotely from adjacent slopes and from flat terrain below. A smaller wind slab avalanche could be just enough load to trigger deeper weak layers. If triggered, they can propagate across and around terrain features that would otherwise confine new snow instabilities. Factor the possibility of an unsurvivable avalanche into your plans and increase your margin for error.

Avalanche Discussion

Multiple size one wind slab avalanches were reported at all elevations in Mammoth and June yesterday, as strong southwest winds drifted up to 10 inches of new snow onto leeward slopes. These avalanches failed on a crust at the new/old snow interface after precipitation changed from rain to snow.

Winds continue throughout the day, increasing tonight. Even as skies clear and temperatures climb above freezing, we expect the cooling effects of the wind to keep wet snow avalanches at bay. That could change if you see the surface getting wet and rollerballs on very steep, sheltered slopes this afternoon.  You can move to shady aspects to limit your exposure.

A stronger winter storm moves in tonight, and we expect the avalanche hazard to increase significantly through the weekend. 

Regions covered