Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW. None-the-less, keep an eye out at mid and upper elevations for an Isolated small wind slab with lingering sensitivity to a human trigger.

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Winds have been blowing hard mostly out of the SW for the past handful of days. But with limited areas of soft snow to harvest, new notable wind slabs have been few and far between.  Winds dropped off considerably overnight, and should get quite light out of the NW as the day progresses. Watch for small pockets of smooth deposition that may still be susceptible to a human trigger especially in steep and consequential terrain where a fall would be bad. Gully sidewalls, below ridges, and convexities above a cliff that face NW-N-E-SE at mid and upper elevations are of most concern.

Avalanche Discussion

Light winds, sunny skies, and great snow coverage could really open the doors for a lot of alpine exploration over the next week.  Keep in mind all the variable snow surfaces that exist, including areas of firm wind board and refrozen crusts. Depending on your objective an Ice ax or whippet, and ski and/or boot crampons could be essential. Sheltered trees on the other hand could hold some nice soft snow.  

Much lighter winds and full sunshine could result in slopes facing the sun warming more than they have in the past few days, resulting in an increase in small loose-wet instabilities. Clear skies, cold temperatures overnight and chilly temperatures today however should keep this quite superficial in the form of rollerballs originating near rock faces on E-S-SW facing slopes. Please let us know what you see out there thru our observations page!

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