Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE Avalanche Danger exists for WIND SLAB on Northerly through Southeasterly aspects today. The Mammoth area is of most concern where 8-10 inches of snow fell yesterday. Overnight  NW winds will have transported this new light snow to slopes  adjacent to ridgeline. Take time to identify fresh deposits of wind drifted snow and consider the current obstacle-ridden conditions where even a small slide could be consequential.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With our first new snowfall in over a month and winds that have been around the compass the past 24 hours, watch out for fresh fat-looking pillows of snow on N-NE-E-SE-S aspects. Slopes right adjacent to ridgeline, cliff bands, and gullies should be reviewed with a critical eye, especially given that the overall snowpack is very thin, variable, and composed of just as much rock and bare ground as snow right now. The new snow that fell  early yesterday, originally under SW-WSW winds and subjected to NW winds overnight, will have loaded most aspects. So be sure to give some consideration to even the sunny aspects of S-SE  up high.  Although it will be cold today, increased solar radiation on sunny aspects could produce minor point releases and loosen up wind deposits in complex terrain. Slides could pick up volumne if falling from high elevation terrain in confined features such as gullies and chutes. Be aware of what is above you in regards to previous wind loading and potential warming today.

Regions covered