Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger will remain at MODERATE today for near tree line and above tree line elevations. Winds have shifted to a more northerly direction overnight and have remained strong enough to transport snow. Small, soft wind slabs are possible on a variety of leeward aspects in terrain features conducive to capturing wind blown snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Be on the look out for small, fresh wind deposits on all aspects near and above tree line today. Strong SW winds accompanied the most recent snowfall and scattered small wind slabs above tree line yesterday on leeward terrain features. Winds have shifted to the N overnight and may have redistributed snow, requiring a keen eye for wind affected pockets that may be reactive to a human trigger. Small avalanches in steep or obstacle ridden terrain could be more consequential if a person is caught off guard.

Avalanche Discussion

Only a trace to 1” of new snow in the last 24 hours is showing up on weather stations in the forecast area. Winds have veered to a more Northerly direction at the upper elevations and remain strong enough to move snow. These factors may not drastically increase the avalanche danger today, but it is possible that wind slabs are more widely distributed due to the changing conditions. Be observant for fresh wind deposits today near ridgelines and on cross-loaded, mid-slope terrain features.

Small, soft wind slabs were observed yesterday in above tree line locations on primarily NE aspects. Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol reported some soft wind slabs up to 6” in depth that were reactive to skier triggering and explosives. There were also reports of long running sluffs in the alpine which without careful management could have taken a skier/rider for an unpleasant ride.

While the refresh eased travel conditions in many areas, dust on crust was also reported which reminds us of the variable sub-surface conditions. Be mindful of firm, slick surfaces beneath the new snow which could be an ideal bed surface for avalanches and increase the consequence of a fall, or a ride in even a small slide. In areas which received less snow, or were scoured by recent strong winds, the variable surfaces may be more obvious and continue to challenge backcountry travelers seeking soft snow.

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