Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanche activity on a regional scale has become unlikely. Dense and stubborn wind slabs may still be possible in leeward catchment zones and extreme terrain. Critical evaluation is recommended in steep open bowl features, mid-slope depressions, and areas where terrain features elevate the consequences of an avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent field observations have highlighted widespread impacts from our recent extreme wind event. Older deposits formed over the weekend have largely become unreactive and our concerns have shifted towards isolated and small deposits that may have formed over the past few days of continued strong winds.  Caution is recommended on northerly and easterly terrain features and in alpine catchment zones. Watch for clues like textured snow surfaces, large fresh drifts, and hollow upside-down feeling snow. Be suspect of terrain features that encourage drifting, such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, alpine couloirs, mid-slope convex rollovers, and cross-loaded depressions. Keep in mind that even a small avalanche can have large consequences in complex and challenging terrain.

    Photo: Steve Mace

    Blowing Snow. Tioga Area 3/5/24

Avalanche Discussion

Winds have been consitently outperforming the forecat over the past couple of days. While models suggest wind speeds are likely to decrease substantially today, conducting your own localized assessments will be important. Some fresh slab development may be possible this afternoon as light snow showers impact the region, particularly if winds once again outperform the forecast. Beyond the concern for isolated instabilities today, field observations have also been highlighting challenging and variable surface conditions. Widespread areas of windboard ranging in thickness have been reported at all elevations. In many areas, particularly south of Mammoth, surfaces have been eroded back to old snow layers or even the ground.  Tools like boot and/or ski crampons and an ice ax may be necessary equipment depending on where you wish to travel.

Regions covered