Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATEAvalanche Danger exists at Upper and Middle elevations for Wind Slab. Moderate to strong winds are predicted to rotate from a prevailing SW-W pattern to a NW flow today which will make All Aspects, especially in the upper elevations, suspect for potential wind slab development. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Although we received only a trace to 1” of new snow in some areas Monday, violent transporting winds were observed moving this weekend’s new snow (12-20”) in the upper elevations yesterday to the leeward Northerly-Easterly aspects. Todays predicted moderate to strong NW winds with gusts of 65mph will start working at redistributing snow back to some of the sunnier aspects as well as cross-loading the N-E terrain.  Look for fresh wind deposits on areas adjacent to ridgeline, convex roll-overs, and gullies. Identify terrain features optimal for capturing wind transported snow and recognize red flags such as shooting cracks, audible collapsing of the snowpack, and visible blowing snow which will all point to current wind loading.

Avalanche Discussion

It was a soggy warm and wet day yesterday with temperatures reaching into the 40’sF and light rain falling at the lower elevations. Snow surface conditions observed at the 9500’ level and down were quite moist with significant pin-wheeling of snow and slow gloppy conditions. With last night’s cool down expect some very challenging surface conditions at and below tree line today. Heavier tree covered terrain particularly held the warmth yesterday, limiting cooling from the wind and harboring a humid green-house effect under the canopy.

Although we got a decent freeze last night, today’s sunny conditions  and relatively warm temperatures below 10000ft may loosen up areas of snow from this weekends storms on the solar aspects.

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RECENT OBSERVATIONS:

2/15 – Mammoth Area – Sherwins –Warm temps and moist snow

2/15 – McGee Creek – Nevahbe ridge –transporting snow

2/14 – Mammoth Area – Sherwins –Natural wind slab avalanches

2/14 –Mammoth Area – Sherwins – small loose dry sloughs Poop chute

2/14 – Bishop Area –Table Mountain –wind affected conditions

*Scroll up and click on “Observations” tab to see listing of past 20 observations, or click on the “Resources” menu --> “ESAC Observations” to see listing of all observations

 

 

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