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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Highlights

Wet snow instabilities are possible today on all aspects and at all elevations. Following a poor refreeze last night, surface warming is expected to happen quickly today. Plan to travel on slopes with colder snow surfaces and dial back your exposure to steep terrain overhead as daytime warming occurs. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm overnight temperatures led to a superficial refreeze last night. This means that it will take less time for surface snow to begin to warm as the sun comes out this morning.  Increasing winds and cloud cover this afternoon might be enough to slow the warming process today. However, Wet Loose avalanches will be possible, and areas of concern will move around the compass rose throughout the day. Easterly aspects will warm first as the sun comes out this morning, followed by southerly and westerly aspects as the sun moves across the sky. Rollerballs or pinwheels and increasing boot penetration are signs of instability that often foreshadow larger point-release avalanches. Radiators such as cliffbands, rock features, and confined couloirs can trap heat and exacerbate the effects of warming. Wet Loose avalanches often fail from a single point and entrain heavy snow as they move downhill. The best way to manage Wet Loose avalanches is to ascend slopes while they remain cold and supportable and be off of steep slopes before surface snow becomes wet and unconsolidated.

    (3/24/2025) Photo: Samantha Rubin

  • Cornices

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

    It will be possible to see large cornice failures as our warming trend continues. Cornices can fail naturally or under the weight of a rider, and they often fail without warning.  The best way to manage this hazard is to minimize your exposure. Avoid travel below large cornices, particularly as things warm up later in the day. When in doubt, give cornice features a very wide berth while traveling on ridgelines. It can be very difficult to tell how far back a cornice will break.

    (3/24/2025)

    Large cornices above NE slopes, 11,500', ATL. 

    Photo: Samantha Rubin

Avalanche Discussion

Significant wet loose activity has been observed up and down the range during this week’s warm-up. With multiple days of near-record temperatures and a weak refreeze last night, forecasters have been discussing the potential of wet slab activity. While this would be an unlikely event, it is not completely impossible, as evidenced by this avalanche observed north of our forecast area. The areas of greatest concern are near and below treeline on northerly and easterly aspects. Wet slabs can initiate on their own, or a relatively small loose wet avalanche could step down to weak layers deep in the snowpack, creating a larger and more destructive slab avalanche. Watch for signs of instability, such as large collapses in the snowpack, and choose lower-angle terrain that limits your exposure.

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