Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger this morning will rise throughout the day in the form of fresh WIND SLABS as new snow falls and is transported by strong SW winds.  MODERATE danger is expected by mid-day, possibly reaching CONSIDERABLE if the higher end of forecasted snowfall is reached. Remember that winds can deposit snow much faster than it can fall from the sky. Pay attention to local conditions and give wind-loaded areas greater respect as snowfall increases. 

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    3-5” of new snow is likely throughout today, with continuous strong SW winds gusting to 75mph over ridgetops. In exposed terrain the new snow will almost immediately be transported by strong winds and fresh sensitive wind slabs will build in leeward areas.  Just below ridgelines and cross-loaded gullies and terrain features on NW-NE-SE facing slopes are where it may become likely to find small sensitive wind slabs that could grow as the day progresses. Blowing snow will be your biggest clue today as to where you may find a new wind slab.  Pay attention as well to cornice formation, dense snow deposits (sometimes hollow sounding, sometimes not), and cracking under your skis. Conditions could change rapidly today. As you skin up to the ridge on that second lap, a surprise might be waiting for you.  Keep checking in with your group and yourself, and if in doubt stick to wind-sheltered terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

A good bit of uncertainty exists with how much snow will actually fall today.  Greater certainty exists that snowfall intensity will increase tonight, and Avalanche Danger will follow suite and much more confidently reach CONSIDERABLE, and possibly HIGH at upper elevations. 

You may have noticed we’ve dropped the unlikely Persistent Slab problem today. Although field observations have continued to find a weak underlying snowpack above 9,200’-9,500’ on W-N-E-SE facing terrain, they have also found failures in these layers to be harder and harder to trigger in tests. There have also been no recent reports of signs of instability such as avalanche activity, shooting cracks or whoomphing.  We don’t feel that the relatively low amount of expected new snowfall today will be enough to tip the balances to make the Persistent Slab problem concerning today, but tomorrow will likely be a different story.

Regions covered