Avalanche Advisory: Thursday - Jan 14, 2021

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON January 15, 2021 @ 6:19 am
Avalanche Advisory published on January 14, 2021 @ 6:19 am

Issued by Steve Mace - ESAC

Bottom Line

How to read the advisory

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Be on the lookout for isolated areas of unstable snow today, particularly on unsupported slopes or in extreme terrain. Shallow coverage, variable surface conditions, and a plethora of obstacles remain the biggest hazards to backcountry travel.

Thank you to all those who were able to join ESAC Forecasters on Jan 13th for a free evening of Virtual Backcountry Travel Education. For those who were unable to attend, the event was recorded: Click here to view the event!

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

While it is important to remember that unstable snow may be possible to find on isolated terrain features today, the challenging and variable surface conditions should be top of mind for anyone heading into the backcountry. Sticky wet snow was observed on all aspects yesterday at mid and lower elevations while a variety of challenging wind affected surfaces remain at higher elevations. Our current spring-like weather pattern is rapidly affecting our snowpack but it will take some time for the transition to occur. Expect the full range of challenging surface conditions today from sticky residual powder snow in sheltered trees, unconsolidated wet snow on shallow solar aspects, firm wind affected surfaces in exposed areas near and above treeline, unsupportable faceted snow in more shaded areas near treeline, and a variety of breakable surface crusts around the compass rose. The obstacle-ridden landscape remains the biggest hazard to backcountry enthusiasts, be aware of your exposure and keep in mind that even an otherwise innocuous fall could have severe consequences with our extremely shallow coverage.

recent observations

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1/13- Mammoth Area- snow conditions in the Lakes basin

1/13- Mammoth Area- Mammoth mountain sidecountry, solar warming, and variable surface conditions

1/12- Mammoth Area- Snow conditions in San Joaquin canyon

1/11- Lee vining area- snow conditions in Kidney chute.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Expect another warm and sunny day today with highs around 50°F at lower elevations and in the mid 40°s above 10,000’. Winds are expected out of the northwest today moderate ridge tops speeds and gusts up to 40 mph.

Expect this warm spring-like trend to continue through the weekend.

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:	Sunny. Snow levels 7500 feet increasing to 8500 feet in the afternoon.	Clear. Snow levels 9000 feet.	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels 8500 feet.
Temperatures:	45 to 53. deg. F.	30 to 36. deg. F.	48 to 58. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	Light winds.	Light winds.	Light winds becoming west around 15 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 30 mph.
Expected snowfall:	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Thursday	Thursday Night	Friday
Weather:	Sunny. Snow levels 8500 feet.	Clear. Snow levels 9000 feet.	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels 8500 feet.
Temperatures:	37 to 45. deg. F.	26 to 31. deg. F.	40 to 48. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	North 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the evening becoming light.	West 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 35 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.