Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Consequential avalanches remain likely as our snowpack adjusts to yesterday's snow and strong winds. Recent avalanche activity, fresh cornice growth, and cracking underfoot will point toward problematic slopes. Avoid overhead hazards and stick to sheltered low-angle terrain to minimize your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterday’s storm brought 6-15” of new snow to the forecast area with strong winds out of the southwest.  Shifting winds today could lead to fresh slab development on southerly aspects. Expect areas of unstable snow to be larger in the northern half of the forecast area and as you gain elevation. Blowing snow, fresh cornices, and natural avalanches will point to the most dangerous slopes. Shooting cracks in stiff, textured surface snow means you’ve found unstable wind slabs. Stick to lower-angled, sheltered slopes without overhead hazard to limit your exposure.  

    (3/7/2025)

    Intentionally triggered D1.5 wind slab avalanche. Near treeline, east aspect.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Yesterday’s storm added over 1” of water weight to our snowpack in favored areas. This added weight has added stress to buried weak layers 3-6 feet below the surface. While significantly less likely than surface instabilities today, the consequences of an avalanche breaking deep in the old snow will be very high.

    Managing persistent slabs is difficult. They may be triggered remotely—from flatter terrain adjacent to steep slopes. Persistent slabs often propagate widely and in unpredictable ways. Deep shooting cracks and large collapses are clear warning signs of the problem. However, feedback is often irregular, and a large and destructive avalanche may be the first sign that a slope is unstable. The best option is to minimize your exposure to steep terrain on the aspects and elevations with sugary facets buried under stiffer slabs, particularly in rocky, complex terrain, near convexities, and slopes with inconsistent snow depth.

    (2/16/2025)

    Crown of a large persistent slab avalanche in sheltered near treeline terrain in Rock Creek.

Avalanche Discussion

Don’t let powder fever lure you into dropping your guard today. While reactive wind slabs on leeward terrain features remain our greatest concern, lingering storm instabilities are not impossible. Loose surface sluffs or even some consolidated slab activity may be possible in steep and sheltered terrain on northerly aspects. As the sun comes out, solar slopes will begin to warm, increasing the likelihood of Wet Loose avalanches. Wet, sticky surface snow and fresh rollerballs are indications that larger point-release avalanches may be possible. If you notice these signs, be wary of steep slopes in the sun and move to more shaded aspects.

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