Avalanche Advisory: Thursday - Feb 20, 2020 | Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution

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There was a decent freeze overnight and cooling southerly winds should keep loose wet concerns at a minimum today, especially if the day starts out a bit cloudy as forecasted. Overall snow coverage is becoming quite minimal to non-existent on most due south aspects, except where previously pasted in gully features and cross loaded areas on mountains that tend to get more snow in the Mammoth area. Continue to be vigilant in case weather conditions are different than expected, watch for rock fall on S aspects, and be prepared for boiler plate, firm conditions if attempting north facing couloirs or high exposed alpine slopes. Risk is high right now and Reward unfortunately low with continuing low tide conditions.

advisory discussion

The biggest hazards to be aware of are shallow coverage and inconsistent snow surfaces including breakable crust, loose faceted unsupportable areas and section of firm wind board. The overall snowpack continues to degrade and disappear as drought conditions decimate our area. Loose wet concerns, slow sticky riding conditions and unsupportable punchy snow on lower elevation sheltered southerly slopes are all reasons to avoid such areas.

recent observations

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2/19- VA Lakes –S Side Dunderberg- snow conditions

2/19 – Laurel Creek Area- No Name Peak –snow conditions

2/19 – Mammoth Area – Sherwins – Hard surface conditions

2/19- Mammoth Area- modest warming on solar aspects

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Moderate southerly winds with gusts up to 35mph are on tap today as another sunny day prevails following a partly cloudy start. Warm temperatures, well above freezing, reaching 45F will warm the lower mountain elevations while 27-35F is slated above 10000ft. A weak system may bring light precipitation to the range on Saturday.

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

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

	Thursday	Thursday Night	Friday
Weather:	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Temperatures:	35 to 45. deg. F.	20 to 26. deg. F.	35 to 45. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	South around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph.	Southeast around 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the evening becoming light.	Light winds becoming southeast around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Thursday	Thursday Night	Friday
Weather:	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Temperatures:	27 to 35. deg. F.	14 to 19. deg. F.	27 to 35. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	South 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	South around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.	Southeast around 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
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.