Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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

Highlights

Wet snow instabilities are expected to develop on solar aspects as the strong April sun comes out this morning. Rollerballs, wet surface snow, and recent avalanche activity will indicate problematic slopes. Dial back your slope angle and exposure to steep terrain overhead as daytime warming occurs. Use caution when entering steep terrain at higher elevations where wind-hardened surface snow could break unpredictably.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have shifted to the north and are expected to be relatively light today. Lingering wind slabs have been gaining strength since our last loading event. Potential problem areas may include the leeward sides of ridgelines, confined alpine couloirs, and cross-loaded depressions. Expect potential avalanches to be larger in the northern half of the forecast area and as you move up in elevation. Recent avalanches, fresh cornice growth, and textured snow surfaces will point to the most dangerous slopes. Shooting cracks in stiff, textured surface snow indicates that you’ve found the problem. You can stick to lower-angled slopes and simple terrain to limit your exposure.  

    (4/1/2025)

    Small wind slab avalanche - intentionally triggered - North aspect, Mammoth area- 9,600'

    Photo: Steve Mace

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect surface snow to warm quickly as the powerful April sun comes out and temperatures rise.  Increasing cloud cover could limit solar impacts this afternoon as a quick-moving storm system moves through the region. Easterly aspects will warm first as the sun comes out this morning, followed by southerly and westerly aspects as the sun moves across the sky. Rollerballs or pinwheels and wet surface snow are signs that often foreshadow larger point-release avalanches. Radiators such as cliffbands, rock features, and confined couloirs can trap heat and exacerbate the effects of warming. Wet Loose avalanches often fail from a single point and entrain heavy snow as they move downhill. The best way to manage Wet Loose avalanches is to ascend slopes while they remain cold and supportable and be off of steep slopes before surface snow becomes wet and unconsolidated.

    (3/24/2025) Photo: Samantha Rubin

Regions covered