Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wet snow avalanches will be possible today on any slope with snow cover. Expect the hazard to increase shortly after sunrise, and to peak in the afternoon. Start early and consider retreating from slopes that become wet, mushy, and no longer support your skis. Evaluate overhead hazard, particularly later in the day on your way out of the mountains.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Our wet snowpack saw another day of record high temperatures and another night of superficial freezing. Wet loose avalanches will become possible soon after the sun comes up today. You may encounter this problem on any aspect or elevation with snow, and you're most likely to find it on steep slopes near rocks and cliffs. In this sort of exposed terrain, the consequences of even a small avalanche can be exacerbated. While lower elevations and solar aspects will become unsupportable first, larger avalanches may be more likely on higher northerly slopes later in the day.

    The best way to minimize exposure to this hazard will be to start and end your tour early. Rollerballs and natural wet loose avalanches mean that the problem is already present. Snow surfaces that are unsupportable to skis indicate that the possibility is increasing. 

    (3/15/2026) Wet loose avalanche on Red Mountain

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Very warm temperatures and multiple nights without an adequate freeze mean that meltwater continues to move through the snowpack around the clock. In places where a stratified snowpack still exists, it's possible that this meltwater could instigate a wet slab release. We've identified a layered snowpack on northerly slopes, at middle and upper elevations throughout the forecast region. 

    We haven't had any reports of slab avalanches yet, but a large to very large wet avalanche was observed south of the forecast area in a high, north-facing couloir yesterday. This is the same aspect and elevation where we suspect a wet slab problem. See the observation here.

    Wet slabs are a difficult problem to predict, and even more difficult to manage. The likelihood of a wet slab avalanche is low, but a resulting avalanche would be large, and the consequences would be high. Reducing your exposure to steep slopes is a strategy to manage this hazard. Starting and ending early may help increase your safety margins.

    Wet avalanche in the south fork of Bishop Creek from late February, 2026

Avalanche Discussion

Record-breaking March temperatures continue to climb a few degrees each day, and the weather forecast calls for peak warming today and tomorrow. We have observed relatively few signs of instability thus far. That being said, these temperatures are extremely rare, and an unusual avalanche would not be a surprise. When uncertainty about conditions is high, a solid plan involves building larger safety margins. Start early and consider keeping your days short. Seek out higher trailheads and access points, and evaluate your exit strategy for later in the day. When surface conditions become wet, consider staying off of steep slopes altogether.

There is still some decent skiing to be found out there, but the window for favorable surfaces seems to be shrinking with each warming day. Additional hazards more typical of late spring are worth thinking about as well. Rockfall and cornice fall have both been observed in the last few days, so keep your head up and your eyes on the slopes above. Creeks are rising and crossings have become difficult. Expect some amount of unsupportable wet snow.  Practice your kick turns to avoid getting hung up. Coverage is diminishing quickly, and your tours may require some walking to and from the snow. 

The next couple of days may be a good time to consider skiing at the resort... or riding your bike. 

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