Avalanche Advisory: Sunday - Feb 16, 2020

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON February 17, 2020 @ 6:15 am
Avalanche Advisory published on February 16, 2020 @ 6:15 am

Issued by Steve Mace - ESAC

Bottom Line

How to read the advisory

LOW avalanche danger persists at all elevations today. Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Be on the lookout for isolated areas of unstable snow and be aware that the biggest hazards right now are the low coverage and variable surface conditions.

1. Low

Above Treeline

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

1. Low

Near Treeline

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

1. Low

Below Treeline

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

Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution

Type ?

advisory discussion

A weak low-pressure system will bring cloudy skies and strong winds to the area today which will likely limit the surface warming even on solar aspects. Field observations continue to highlight thin coverage and variable surface conditions. Some solar aspects that still hold contiguous panels of snow have seen many days of a melt-freeze cycle and are resembling a snowpack more typical to late spring. Conversely many shaded aspects are harboring a variety of surface crusts and loose dry faceted snow. While our recent weather patterns have led to relatively benign avalanche conditions isolated instabilities may exist throughout the range. Continue to practice safe travel techniques and keep in mind that the biggest hazards today may be the thin coverage and a variety of hard slick surface conditions. Plan your routes accordingly. Bring the proper equipment, pick your objectives carefully, and keep in mind that we may not see surface conditions soften up much today even on more solar aspects.

recent observations

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02/15- Independence- Onion Valley, Snow conditions

02/15- McGee Creek- Snow conditions on mt Aggie

02/14- Mammoth area- Surface warming on the backside of Mammoth Mountain

02/14- Lee Vining- Variable surface conditions Horse meadows, Kidney chute

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Today’s warm temperatures may be tempered by mostly cloudy skies and strong westerly winds. Expect temperatures to remain above freezing at all elevations today with highs in the mid 40°s at mid-elevations. Strong mid-slope winds should increase throughout the day with ridgetop gusts as high as 60 mph.

Dry and warm conditions are likely to prevail for the remainder of this week with a slight chance of unsettled weather at the end of next week.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 8,000 ft. to 10,000 ft.

	Sunday	Sunday Night	Monday
Weather:	Mostly Cloudy	Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.
Temperatures:	40 to 50. deg. F.	21 to 27 deg. F.	35 to 45 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	West 15-25mph with gusts to 40	West 15-25mph. Gusts up to 40 mph decreasing to 35 mph after midnight.	Northwest 15-20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph
Expected snowfall:	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Sunday	Sunday Night	Monday
Weather:	Mostly cloudy	Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny
Temperatures:	30 to 40 deg. F.	16 to 21 deg. F.	27 to 35 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	West 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.	West 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph decreasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph after midnight.	Northwest 15 to25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
Expected snowfall:	0 in.	0 in.	0 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.