Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wet loose avalanches will become possible on steep slopes as the snow softens. Deep, slushy snow and recent avalanche activity indicate hazardous conditions. Monitor the surface as it warms and reduce your exposure to steep slopes with wet snow at the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches have been reported daily for the past week. See for yourself here. These avalanches have primarily released on slopes near and above treeline and have been confined to the aspects with the most snow. There was one outlier: a lower-elevation, wet loose avalanche in the Mammoth area. This makes sense, as the Mammoth-to-June zone has had the best coverage and the most snow. The conclusion I'm drawing here might be a shocker... but what we are seeing from this natural activity is that wet loose avalanches remain possible on any steep slope that still has snow.

    Today, temperatures are expected to be similar to yesterday, and our overnight freeze may soften quickly. If you're finding the surface snow to be becoming wet and slushy, or if your skis are beginning to sink deeply, it's likely you're moving through some concerningly wet snow. As the surface transitions to mush, taper back and move to less-steep terrain. Consider adjusting your trip plans to reduce any time spent hanging out under steep slopes, especially later this afternoon.

    (3/22/2026)

    D1.5 wet loose avalanche on Mt. Tom. Northeast, 12,800 ft, above treeline.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Across the zone, wet loose avalanches in high-elevation northerly terrain have gouged deep into the snowpack. While these avalanches are consequential in their own right, they have also helped reduce our uncertainty surrounding a wet slab avalanche problem. These natural avalanches imply that much of this terrain has had liquid water percolate down and through previously buried weak layers. Once liquid water begins to drain to the ground, the snowpack becomes a wet, sloppy mess with no distinguishable layers. The slab component is removed from the slab avalanche equation. At this point, wet slab avalanche activity has become highly unlikely. However, an outlier event isn't impossible. It's still worth including in your group's discussions, especially as temperatures and freezing levels continue to rise over the next few days. The most likely terrain to encounter a wet slab avalanche is on our highest, north-facing slopes, where a layered snowpack may still linger. 

Wet and sloppy has become a bit of a theme over the past few days (weeks?). The continued surge of liquid water departing our snowpack has creeks running high. We've seen rockfall, cornice failure, and glide cracks all over the place. As surfaces soften today, expect to travel in deep, mushy snow. Descending back to your car or the trailhead may be more like water skiing, and caution is warranted. 

Regions covered