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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet snow avalanches large enough to bury a person will be possible once the surface thaws. Watch out for deep wet snow forming on rocky slopes in the sun. Get an early start, and pay attention to what’s above you as the day heats up.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another night with temperatures above freezing, and another day with temperatures well above normal. Wet snow avalanches have been reported almost every sunny afternoon for the past week, with minimal overnight freezes and above-average temperatures. Most recent avalanches have run on rocky slopes with the most snow cover: on north through east-facing terrain near and above treeline. Several large avalanches have been triggered by rockfall. One of these avalanches, which ran yesterday on Mt. Tom, was a wet slab avalanche that gouged to the ground. Fortunately for you, the way to limit your exposure to all wet snow avalanches is the same. 

    Start early and aim to be out of the mountains by midday. Monitor surface warming and consider retreating if the snow surface becomes unsupportable. Look for signs of recent avalanches, and use caution around similar slopes. Pay attention to sunny slopes above you, and anticipate what your exit may be like later in the day.

    (3/28/2026)

    D2 wet slab avalanche and a smaller wet loose avalanche that ran today, 3/28, on Mt. Tom. East aspect 12,100 ft. above treeline. Compared with a photo from earlier this week.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

ESAC has been monitoring avalanche activity carefully, watching the mountains like hawks. You can stay up to date on what’s slid and where HERE. 

Aside from wet loose avalanches, consider other spring hazards when planning your day. Rockfall has been common and should be at the front of your mind. Any cornices that are left on ridges should be treated as suspect. Glide cracks exist throughout the forecast area. Though glide avalanches are unlikely, they are difficult to predict, and slopes with opening cracks should be approached with skepticism.

Access is becoming more difficult each day. It’s still possible to get directly on snow from your car around Mammoth and June, and in Virginia Lakes. Elsewhere, you can expect to walk on dirt or pavement for some of your approach. Snowbridges are thin, and creeks are running at high flows.

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