Avalanche Advisory: Saturday - Apr 6, 2019

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON April 7, 2019 @ 6:34 am
Avalanche Advisory published on April 6, 2019 @ 6:34 am
Issued by Steve Mace - ESAC

Heightened avalanche conditions exist today due to the possibility small, fresh wind slab avalanches on Northerly and Easterly aspects at mid and upper elevations, as well as loose wet activity at mid and lower elevations.  Human triggered avalanches will be possible on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and avoid areas of concern.

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Near Treeline

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Below Treeline
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
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While only an inch of new snow was recorded at the base of Mammoth Mountain yesterday afternoon there is a possibility that totals were greater at higher elevations.  Couple this with moderate to strong SW winds and you can expect to find fresh, sensitive wind slabs on Northerly and Easterly terrain at mid and upper elevations. While resulting avalanches are likely to be small there is certainly enough snow to take you off your feet or carry you though unpleasant terrain.  Problem areas are likely to be specific to terrain features encourage drifting. The leeward sides of ridgelines, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions are all suspect.  Be particularly cautious in extreme terrain or on steep unsupported slopes where consequences of an avalanche are amplified.  Surface clues such as blowing snow, recent cornice growth and uneven snow surfaces can help to identify and avoid areas of recent wind deposit. 

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
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Mostly cloudy skies will limit the solar gain today and moderate winds may help to keep things cool. However, relatively warm overnight temperatures coupled with strong greenhouseing effect may lead to enough surface warming to make loose wet avalanches a concern at mid and lower elevations today. These will become more concerning on solar aspects if the sun decides to come out today. Be on the look out for wet, sticky snow surface, and rollerballs as these are signs of surface warming and may foreshadow larger point release avalanches.

advisory discussion

As our active spring weather continues, be on the lookout for changing conditions. Remember that each new precipitation event brings fresh avalanche concerns even as the longer days and warmer temperatures work to settle things out more quickly. Do your own localized conditions and evaluate conditions carefully.  And remember that even relatively small avalanches can have large consequences in extreme or exposed terrain.  

recent observations
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4/5- Bishop area, Gable creek, Snow conditions

4/5- Convict Creek, Snow Conditions

4/4- Lundy Canyon, Snow Conditions

4/4- Lee Vining, Loose Wet Activity

4/3- Bishop area, Basin Mtn snow conditions

4/3-Bishop Creek, snow conditions on Bishop Bowl

4/3-Bridgeport, Mt. Patterson snow conditions

4/3-Mammoth Crest, Natural activity

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Expect mostly cloudy skies, seasonable temperatures, and moderate SW winds today as a high-pressure system pushes in from the south.  Temperatures are expected in the mid 30’s at upper elevations while Gusts as high as 50 mph are expected on ridge tops. 

Mild weather will remain through the weekend, marked by warm temperatures and breezy winds, however unsettled weather will return next week. Higher winds, colder temperatures and a burst of precipitation can be expected as a cold front moves through the region early next week.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 8,000 ft. to 10,000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Partly cloudy. Partly cloudy.
Temperatures: 37 to 47. deg. F. 25 to 31. deg. F. 44 to 54. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Southwest 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph.
Expected snowfall: 0 in. 0 in. 0 in.
Over 10,000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy. Partly cloudy.
Temperatures: 30 to 36. deg. F. 21 to 26. deg. F. 36 to 42. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 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.

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