Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may still be able to trigger an avalanche in terrain features holding unstable wind drifts. Wet-loose instabilities may exist especially at lower elevations and on slopes receiving direct sunlight. Continuously assessing terrain and conditions will be necessary to manage your exposure to hazards today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It may still possible to trigger a wind slab avalanche in leeward terrain features, such as slopes below ridgelines, open bowls, gullies, and high alpine chutes and couloirs. Look for stiff, textured, hollow snow and cracking underfoot to alert you to this instability. You may see fewer signs of instability as the problem continues to stabilize. Localized assessment of conditions and terrain are important to minimize your exposure. Even a small slide in complex terrain can have extreme consequences. 

    Wind slab avalanches, Mammoth Lakes. 

    Photo: Steve Mace

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Today is expected to be warmer than the last two days, and with minimal winds. Depending on how conditions shape up throughout the region, you may find wet-loose instabilities at lower elevations where temperatures are expected to breach the 40s, and on slopes receiving direct sunlight at higher elevations. Wet snow, rollerballs, and recent wet-loose avalanche activity are all signs that indicate rising hazard. Starting and finishing your tour earlier in the day and continuously assessing conditions can help you minimze your exposure to this hazard today. 

    (2/23/2024)

    Rollerballs OBS 2/23 @ 1 pm 7800' N.  

    Photo: Samantha Rubin

Avalanche Discussion

Calm and dry weather over the last couple of days has led to a stabilizing trend. If stepping out, do so cautiously and continue to make localized assessments. There is a lot of variability in conditions throughout our forecast zone and higher levels of uncertainty exist in the high alpine. While wet loose instabilities are a possibility on lower elevation slopes and solar aspcets, loose dry instabilities may still be worth noting on protected higher elevation slopes. A small sluff, or D1 avalanche, in extreme terrain can have extreme consequences. 

 

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