Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Wet loose avalanches will become increasingly likely as temperatures warm today. Rollerballs, slushy snow, and recent avalanche activity indicate hazardous conditions. Start and end your day early and move to shadier or less steep terrain as the surface becomes unsupportable and wet.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Overnight, many stations across the zone remained near or above freezing. Inversions have kept temperatures warm even above 11,000'. However, some heat escaped from the snowpack overnight, forming a surface crust. With daytime highs 5-15 degrees higher than yesterday, expect our surface freeze to soften quickly. Wet loose avalanches will become increasingly likely as the snowpack becomes wet and mushy, especially at lower elevations and on sunny slopes.  

    Start and end your day earlier, and attempt to travel when the surface is colder and stronger. Look for rollerballs and recent natural activity as an indicator of hazardous conditions. Monitor softening surfaces as you travel, and move to colder, shadier, or more conservative terrain if the surface becomes unsupportable. Consider changing your trip plans to avoid crossing under steep slopes with wet snow, especially later in the day. 

    Wet loose activity- Airport bowls- Convict area

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

Today will be the first day of a week-long, incredible heat wave. This is a historic event, and temperatures are increasing day by day. Record highs are likely to be broken this week. The heat wave will continue through Saturday, and snowmelt will be significant and noticeable. Over the next few days, as overnight lows rise, the surface refreeze will become increasingly shallow. Expect avalanche hazard to elevate as we fall under the full wrath of this warm week. 

Risk is inherent in the mountains, and with an extraordinary weather event, the likelihood of encountering typical mountain hazards increases. Natural avalanche activity, sketchy creek crossings, and rockfall may be frequent in your outings. Today and this week, evaluate how deep and wet the snow you're travelling on is, and make a trip plan with options to move to shadier or less-steep terrain. Consider overhead hazards, and reduce your exposure to steep, sunny slopes above you.  Find a safer way to cross the creek, and consider how your egress may change in the afternoon. 

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