Avalanche Advisory: Monday - Mar 9, 2020

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON March 10, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Avalanche Advisory published on March 9, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Issued by Chris Engelhardt - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations Monday. Remain vigilant for small and isolated wind slabs on NW-SE aspects at Upper and Middle Elevations. Watch for unstable snow particularly in extreme terrain, such as couloirs and unsupported slopes adjacent to cliff bands and rock outcroppings.

1. Low

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Above Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Near Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
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  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Continue to monitor for pockets of unstable wind slab on isolated terrain features. Field observations in the upper elevations yesterday found from 1-4” of new snow with some drifts up to 8” from Saturday’s storm. Moderate SW winds will continue to transport and re-distribute snow to the Northerly aspects during the day Monday potentially producing small unstable pockets of snow in complex terrain. Although any wind slab avalanche likely will be small, if it occurs in exposed or confined terrain it could prove to be consequential for a rider pushed into or over rocky and shallow conditions. Many starting zones in avalanche terrain are stripped, but there were small, fresh cross loaded ribbons and pillows of snow established Sunday on Northerly-Easterly aspects conducive to capturing snow. Small slides and spindrift originating in the alpine zone could be an issue if you’re in tight and confined terrain. Be observant of what is above you, and plan your route accordingly if you’re travelling underneath starting zones that may funnel snow in your direction. Look for blowing snow and if the sun produces more enhanced solar input than expected today, anticipate that warming could loosen small panels of snow from sunny aspects. Be on the lookout for fresh cornices and fat looking pillows of snow in relation to gullies and terrain adjacent to rock bands and collection zones.

advisory discussion

We will take any new snow we can get and have had more 1” forecasts than I ever can remember. Yesterday’s small refresher made for good riding conditions while continued small accumulations with some loading winds and cloudy conditions mid-week should continue to improve skiing. Simple fact though is that the thin and obstacle-ridden baseline conditions have been a concern all season. With shallow reefs, firm wind shorn surfaces, and newly disguised rock, continue to remind yourself that this has not been the season to ski with abandon in the backcountry.

recent observations
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Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Mostly cloudy conditions will prevail today with a chance of light snow showers in the afternoon. Moderates SW winds (15-25mph) will continue with gusts up to 40mph at ridge top. Temperatures will reach 43F for the lower mountain elevations, while 26-34F is slated above 10000ft. Greater probability of very small accumulations of new snow starts early Tuesday morning with winds starting to swing from the East.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 8,000 ft. to 10,000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 15%. Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the evening, then slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Temperatures: 33 to 43. deg. F. 21 to 27. deg. F. 33 to 43. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: South to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Southwest around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the evening becoming light. Light winds becoming east around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph.
Expected snowfall: 10% probability up to 1 inch. 90% probability no accumulation. | SWE = trace amounts. in. 20% probability up to 1 inch. 80% probability no accumulation. | SWE = trace amounts. in. up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.
Over 10,000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the evening, then slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 25%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Temperatures: 26 to 34. deg. F. 15 to 20. deg. F. 24 to 32. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. South around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening. East 15 to 25 mph.
Expected snowfall: 20% probability up to 1 inch. 80% probability no accumulation. | SWE = trace amounts. in. 20% probability up to 1 inch. 80% probability no accumulation. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in. up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.
Disclaimer
This Avalanche Advisory is designed to generally describe avalanche conditions where local variations always occur. This product only applies to backcountry areas located outside established ski area boundaries. The information in this Avalanche Advisory is provided by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, who is solely responsible for its content.

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