Avalanche Advisory: Tuesday - Jan 7, 2020

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON January 8, 2020 @ 6:44 am
Avalanche Advisory published on January 7, 2020 @ 6:44 am
Issued by Chris Engelhardt - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

LOW avalanche danger exists at all Elevations on all Aspects. Loose Wet conditions on Southerly aspects should be given consideration, in addition to tracking for Stubborn Wind slab on isolated N-E terrain features.

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: Normal Caution
  • Type ?
advisory discussion

With relatively warm temperatures and a sunny start to the day, loose wet conditions on sunny aspects are a possibility for Tuesday. Southerly aspects particularly from mid to lower elevations should be assessed for small point release potential and particularly rock fall. Additionally be on the look out for stubborn wind slabs in isolated areas of complex terrain. Unsupported slopes, convex rolls, or cross loaded terrain where the thin and spatially variable snowpack may be residing on weak or slick sliding surfaces will be of most concern.

Exposed terrain consists of firm, smooth wind board and both soft and hardened sastrugi. “Slide for life” conditions combined with sparse coverage and potential for hitting obstacles is the biggest hazard right now. There have also been reports of significant spin drift in the high alpine environment in tight and channeled terrain. A party in the Big Pine area this past Saturday experienced continuous stream like sloughing of spindrift while they were climbing a steep couloir. 

The snowpack is extremely variable both in depth and structure across the forecast zone, so every drainage and mountain should be looked at with a critical eye to assess conditions in that specific area. 

 

recent observations
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1/6 –Convict Area – Morrison Col - wind effects

1/5 – June Lake Area – 3D Chute –(Avalanche incident recount from 12/16 - one skier injured)

1/5 – Mammoth Area – Solitude Canyon – Snow Conditions

1/4 – June Lake Area– San Joaquin Mtn & Deadman Creek – Snow Conditions

1/3 – Bishop Area- NF Bishop Creek snow depths & conditions

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Tuesday should start out sunny and become partly cloudy as a weak weather system moves into the area.  We will receive more wind and little to no precipitation as this small system tracks north of us. Wednesday evening into Thursday looks to have a better chance for Mono County and the Sierra picking up some small amounts of snow (1-3"). Temperatures will be from 5-10degF above average today with 39-45F below 10000ft and 32-38F in the upper elevations. SW winds will continue to increase throughout the day from moderate speeds in the teens to 20mph to the mid 30mph range in the afternoon with gusts up to 55mph.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 8,000 ft. to 10,000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear then becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 15%. Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 39 to 45. deg. F. 12 to 17. deg. F. 28 to 34. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon. Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. West 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph decreasing to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 in. Up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in. 0 in.
Over 10,000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear then becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 32 to 38. deg. F. 8 to 13. deg. F. 22 to 27. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph increasing to 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph in the afternoon. Southwest 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph. West 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 in. Up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. 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.

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