Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You could trigger a wind slab avalanche in steep, sunny start zones below alpine ridges and in couloirs. Further downslope on solar aspects, watch for rollerballs as the first sign that wet surface snow is becoming unstable. Shady, sheltered slopes may hold softer, colder snow and a safer alternative.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Though limited data is available from weather stations this morning, ridgetop winds seem to have increased out of the north overnight. Isolated, but sensitive deposits may have developed on sunny aspects. Evaluate terrain that encourages drifting, such as steep slopes below ridgelines, and the entrances to alpine couloirs. Take note if you see blowing snow, rippled surfaces, rounded drifts, and hollow upside-down feeling snow. Remember that even a small avalanche can have large consequences in complex and challenging terrain.

    (3/7/2024) Photo: Clancy Nelson

  • Loose Wet

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

    As cold snow bakes in the sun, rocky areas and vegetation will increase the amount of heat thawing the surface. Loose wet avalanches could become a hazard where solar slopes have enough soft snow to melt. If you see rollerballs tumbling down from cliffs and chutes, move out from under steep terrain to avoid getting hit with wet debris from above. 

    (3/7/2024)

    A small patch of rollerballs on a southeast aspect at 8,000 ft. These tumbled before 1 pm when the surface was already getting crusty again. 

    Photo: Clancy Nelson

Avalanche Discussion

Very small loose dry avalanches were reported on northerly slopes yesterday as a few inches of recent, low-density snow slid short distances atop firmer snow underneath. That low-density snow was available for transport as winds shifted to the north and increased overnight. Many of the slopes where new slabs could develop have been scoured to rock by the extreme wind event last weekend. Others have hard wind board, melt-freeze crusts, or near-surface facets. Newly drifted snow may not bond readily to these surfaces.

In areas where the north wind has not moved the fluff, you may need to manage small sluffs before they knock you off your feet in very steep, confined chutes.

The amount of wet snow instability will depend on whether sunny slopes in your area have soft snow to melt, or whether they are stripped back to dirt. 

Field observations have highlighted challenging and variable surface conditions. Wind board, supportable or breakable, exists at all elevations. Large, sculpted sastrugi and melt-freeze crusts are also common. In many areas, particularly south of Mammoth, winds have eroded the soft snow back to old hard layers or bare ground.  Tools like boot or ski crampons and an ice ax may be necessary equipment depending on where you want to travel.

On Wednesday, March 6th a fellow forecaster at the Wallowa Avalanche Center died in an avalanche accident in the Elkhorn Mountains. The avalanche community is deeply saddened by the loss and our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family, and everyone affected by his passing.

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