Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Extreme winds will continue to produce large, unstable wind slabs at all elevations today. A very large avalanche on the weak layers at the base of our snowpack is still a possibility as our snowpack adjusts to recent and continued loading. Travel in, above, and below avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Our region has seen extreme wind speeds at all elevations in the last 24 hours, coupled with storm totals of 1 - 5+  ft of new snow. Reactive wind drifts may be deep, and slabs may be soft in more protected areas, or hard in more exposed areas that are seeing higher wind speeds. As precipitation rates wane, we can expect to see continued slab development as winds speeds remain elevated. Wind slabs breaking along a ridge could run down into mature forests, or terrain otherwise thought of as protected. Avoiding travel in, above, or below avalanche terrain is the best way to minimize your exposure today. 

    (2/28/2024)

    Large natural wind slab avalanche that broke in a usually sheltered slope in the bottom of a drainage near Lundy Canyon. This likely ran 2/26.

    Photo: Clancy Nelson

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Even with precipitation rates slowing today, storm slabs will remain  reactive in wind protected areas near and below treeline. We have seen 1 - 5+ ft of snow fall over the last 48 hours, and the snowpack will need time to adjust and settle. Even small storm slabs can have elevated consequences in treed terrain and terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies. Traveling through avalanche terrain today is not recommended. 

    Photo: Steve Mace

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

    Persistent slab avalanches remain a possibility as the weak layers at the base of our snowpack adjust to continued loading today. Persistent slab avalanches can break in unpredictable ways and with little warning. They may involve the entirety of our snowpack, and run long distances, entraining lots of snow along the way. An avalanche on these layers may be more likely in areas where the snowpack is generally shallower, such as the northern and southern ends of the forecast zone, in areas further from the crest.  Along the crest, and in the Mammoth and June Lake areas, these layers sit below a much deeper snowpack. While less likely, an avalanche on these layers is not out of the question. Travel in, above, or below avalanche terrain, and in runout zones, is not recommended today. 

    (2/3/2024)

    A very large persistent slab avalanche on Mt. Laurel.

    Photo: Everett Phillips

Avalanche Discussion

Large avalanches were observed yesterday in the new storm snow as a result of intense snowfall rates and extreme winds. Winds near treeline reached speeds of 150 mph in the Mammoth Lakes region, and we've recorded  up to 5" of water since the beginning of this storm. These numbers vary throughout the forecast region. Generally speaking, the region saw a substantial amount of new snow and wind in the last 24 hours, and avalanche conditions remain heightened. Snowfall rates will drop today, but strong to extreme winds will continue to produce unstable wind slabs and load persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack. We have seen avalanches break on these layers during every major loading event this season. 

Any avalanches that occur today will likely be large to very large in size. Avalanches produced at higher elevations could run far, entraining lots of snow along the way. Frigid wind-chills will keep temps well below 0ºF in places. Visibility is likely to remain limited as extreme winds blow snow around, affecting navigation and road conditions and closures. Park responsibly in mountain communities to allow plow services and emergency services space to operate. 

 

Regions covered