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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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Expect avalanche danger to rise as winds increase and new snow accumulates. Blowing snow, fresh cornice formation, and recent avalanche activity will indicate slopes to avoid. Stick to lower angle slopes with no overhead hazard to minimize your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme south-southwest winds and new snow will build unstable wind slabs on leeward slopes near and above treeline.  Expect size and sensitivity to increase throughout the day as new snow accumulates. Blowing snow, fresh cornice formation, and recent avalanche activity will indicate problematic areas. Cracking in stiff, textured snow is a sign you've found the problem. Leeward catchment zones below ridgelines and in confined gullies are slopes to avoid. Such intense winds can blow snow around in surprising ways. Wind slabs may be found halfway down a slope, or even in exposed areas below treeline. Stick to lower angle slopes without overhead hazard to minimize your exposure to this problem today. 

    (3/30/2025)

    One of 5 D1 intentionally triggered wind slab avalanches on a north-facing test slope near treeline, Virginia Lakes.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow is expected to fall quickly today, with rates around 2" per hour at times. As snow accumulates, storm instabilities, both slabs and sluffs, will become possible in steep sheltered terrain.  As snow stacks up, you can expect avalanche sensitivity and size potential to increase. Look for cracking in the new snow and recent avalanche activity to help clue you in to this problem. Stick to lower angle slopes and avoid traps such as road cuts, gully features, cliff bands, and mid-slope depressions to best manage this hazard. 

    Storm Slab avalanche

    Photo: Samantha Rubin

Avalanche Discussion

The story of today is new snow and wind. If the upper end of the forecast holds, we may see up to a foot of new snow in favored areas of our region by tonight. New snow will fall an a variety of surfaces, including crusts and near surface facets. As snow accumulates, expect avalanche danger to rise. This storm will mostly affect Mammoth and areas to the north of Mammoth. Continued localized assessements of snow totals and conditions will be key in managing rising hazard throughout the day. Keep in mind that even a small avalanche above a terrain trap, or in extreme terrain, can have elevated consequences.

 

 

 

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