Bollettino valanghe

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Thu
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Triggering an avalanche is unlikely, but not impossible. Be on the lookout for wind-stiffened and cracking snow surfaces on slopes adjacent to ridgelines, in couloirs, and mid-slope gullies. Getting knocked off your feet or hitting a shallowly buried obstacle in steep or exposed terrain can still have severe consequences. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    We experienced an extreme N/NW wind event in the last 24 hours. Blowing snow was reported throughout the forecast area, stripping previous deposits from our typical SW winds. While there was not a large amount of snow available for transport for the development of new slabs,  we can't rule out the unlikely possibility of triggering a small wind slab in isolated areas today. Expect these slides to be small and stubborn.  The chance of finding an unstable drift will increase as you climb higher in elevation and wrap around to loaded aspects. These will be most common on the leeward sides of ridgelines, and near cross-loaded mid-slope features such as gullies and convex rolls.

    Textured snow surfaces and hollow-sounding snow that feels like styrofoam under your skis are signs the wind has been at work. Cracks shooting out from your skis or board are a sign you've found an unstable slab. While these will not be large avalanches, steep, complex, and exposed terrain can increase the consequences of getting knocked off your feet. 

    (12/24/2024)

    Shooting crack in wind stiffened snow

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

Our typical SW winds shifted to the N/NW during an extreme wind event in the last 24 hours—beginning 2025's first chapter of A Tale of Two Winds, an Eastside favorite. This resulted in previously deposited snow being stripped and redistributed. This made small and stubborn wind slabs an unlikely possibility on any aspect at mid and upper elevations. There was not a significant amount of snow available for transport during this event due to previous winds stiffening, scouring, and pressing surfaces.  While a small system dropped up to 2 inches of fresh snow along the Sierra Crest south of Mammoth Monday night, it wasn't enough for new slabs to be large or reactive. 

Our snowpack remains in a generally stable state. While wind slabs cannot be taken completely off the menu today, these surface instabilities will continue to stabilize as we continue further into our drought.  Before committing to steep and exposed terrain, be sure to evaluate the snowpack on a slope-by-slope basis. Slides are unlikely to be able to bury a person. However, getting knocked off your feet in the exposed terrain many of us like to play in can still have dire consequences. Shallowly buried rocks and variable, wind-sculpted, and crusty surfaces also create a fall hazard to keep in mind at the top of a run. Continuing to use best travel practices will help keep you safe and skiing longer into the season: keeping eyes on your partners, skiing one at a time from safe zone to safe zone in big terrain, and creating margins for uncertainty.

While the 10-day forecast isn't promising, we can keep hoping for what that eleventh day may bring. Stay safe until we get there. 

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