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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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Give yourself a wide margin for error to avoid triggering dangerous avalanches breaking on old, sugary snow. Be cautious as you travel in wind-affected terrain. Sheltered slopes less than about 30 degrees offer the best riding for those looking to avoid avalanche problems big and small.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Avalanches breaking on weak, early-season snow have become more difficult to trigger. However, shooting cracks and slope-wide whumpfs continue to show that riders can collapse these sugary grains. In areas with shallower snow cover, where stiff slabs cover unconsolidated facets, you could still trigger a dangerously large avalanche. Don’t be afraid to dig in and get a look at the lower layers of the snowpack to see if old snow is present in the areas you want to travel. Discipline and patience are key to avoiding this problem. Steer clear of complex, steep, and rocky terrain. Beware of overhead hazards. Persistent slab avalanches can be triggered remotely from adjacent slopes. Give yourself a wide safety margin to limit your exposure to a high-consequence problem that is difficult to assess.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Westerly winds drifted a few inches of snow onto leeward aspects above treeline on Wednesday. Forecasters north and south of Mammoth saw snow banners and even triggered some small avalanches. Winds increase and may mix down to lower elevations today. Snow totals over the past 48 hours vary across the forecast area. Expect wind slabs to be larger and more sensitive in areas that received more snow. Watch for blowing snow and growing cornices that point toward the slopes where you may find sensitive drifts. Be especially cautious below ridgelines and on the sidewalls of gullies. Watch for cracking in stiff, chalky surface snow as a sign that you could trigger fresh wind slabs. Better, softer riding is available in sheltered terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

The last avalanche failing on persistent weak layers likely ran on December 4th. However, observations continue to highlight large collapses, shooting cracks, and propagating test results. Those are red flags showing that riders can still affect buried facets and that the resulting avalanche could break across terrain features. The snowpack is challenging and complex, requiring simple terrain choices to manage your exposure to a hazard that’s both dangerous and difficult to predict. Patience is key, especially with more snow on tap. We expect the danger to rise quickly as more snow loads this weak snowpack structure through the weekend.

Regions covered