Brought to you by
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Issued
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 7:00AM
Author
Steve Mace
Eastside Region
Eastside RegionBottom Line
A person could trigger consequential avalanches today. Sizable wind slabs near and above treeline remain reactive to the weight of a human. Approach steep wind-loaded terrain with caution and use conservative terrain choice to limit your exposure to today’s hazard.
Avalanche Problem #1
Winds exceeded forecasts yesterday, leading to intense wind transport across the range. While decreasing winds today will limit the potential for continued slab development, wind slabs that formed during our most recent storm or during the day yesterday may still be reactive to skiers and riders. Wind slabs will be larger and more concerning near and above treeline; however, isolated pockets of unstable snow may be found in sheltered areas below treeline. Recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks in stiff, hollow-feeling snow, and fresh cornice growth are all clues that indicate nearby wind deposits. Be suspicious of terrain features that encourage drifting, such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, alpine couloirs, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions.
Avalanche Problem #2
It will be difficult for a skier or rider to trigger a persistent slab avalanche. A larger trigger, such as a breaking cornice or a wind slab avalanche, may tip the scales and initiate a failure in deeply buried weak layers. An avalanche breaking near the ground today could be very large and destructive. Steep, unsupported slopes that held snow in mid-December are the areas we are most concerned about. In general, these slopes will be found on northerly and easterly aspects near and above treeline. Persistent slabs challenge our patience, and managing them requires extensive evaluation and careful terrain selection. Persistent slab avalanches often propagate across and beyond terrain features that would otherwise confine surface instabilities, such as wind or storm slabs, and, in some cases, can be remotely triggered from adjacent slopes. Give yourself a wide safety margin, be wary of hazards above you, and make conservative terrain choices to limit your exposure.
Forecast Discussion
As the skies cleared yesterday, significant avalanche activity was visible up and down the range. In addition, impressive wind transport was noted throughout the day. It is worth noting that many of the natural avalanches visible yesterday likely occurred on the tail end of the storm or early in the morning hours yesterday. With decreasing winds and no new precipitation on the menu today, natural activity is less likely, and signs of instability may become less common. However, it takes time for the range to accept a new load such as the one we received over the past few days. Sunny skies and calm weather have a habit of clouding our judgment. It remains possible for humans to trigger large and consequential avalanches. Caution is recommended as you move in the mountains today.
Mountain Weather
Issued
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 7:00AM
Author
Steve Mace
Expect partly cloudy skies today, with temperatures near or above freezing and mostly light southwest winds. A brief system moves through the area tomorrow, bringing light snow showers and cold temperatures. However, the most significant impacts from this system are likely to be in the form of increasing winds.
We can expect warmer and drier weather to take hold this weekend and into next week.
This information is provided by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions. It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now | Local News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
