Avalanche Advisory: Sunday - Jan 10, 2021 | Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab

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The one thing consistent about our winds over the past few days is that they have been constantly changing, both in direction and speed. Moderate winds are expected today out of the W, but with little loose snow available for transport in exposed areas, new slab formation will be minimal. That being said, in steep exposed terrain a person could trigger a small plate that could lead to a nasty fall, especially given the very firm conditions and obstacles that exist.

advisory discussion

Our obstacle-ridden shallow snowpack and firm conditions in steep exposed terrain will remain top safety concerns for the foreseeable future. Crampons and ice-ax or whippet are recommended for travel into the alpine.

recent observations

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-1/9 – June – Hemlock Ridge: Thin faceting snowpack, small isolated reactive wind slab.

-1/9 – McGee – NW facing terrain: Widespread wind-effects and firm conditions, found helmet.

-1/9 – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Red Cone: Faceting snow in sheltered terrain, widespread wind-effects in exposed areas.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Cloudy skies should clear later this morning with west winds gusting into the 40s and 50s at mid and upper elevations. Temperatures are on a daily increasing trend as high pressure builds across the region, with highs expected in the mid-30s around 10,000’ today.

Unfortunately long range models are suggesting a strong dry and mild June-uary outlook.

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 then becoming sunny. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures:	35 to 43. deg. F.	20 to 25. deg. F.	39 to 45. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	West around 15 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	Light winds.	Light winds. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.
Expected snowfall:	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Sunday	Sunday Night	Monday
Weather:	Mostly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures:	29 to 35. deg. F.	16 to 21. deg. F.	32 to 38. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	West 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.	Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	Northwest 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph decreasing to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. 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.