Avalanche Advisory: Sunday - Mar 8, 2020 | Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON March 9, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Advisory published on March 8, 2020 @ 7:00 am

Issued by Josh Feinberg - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Bottom Line

Elevated avalanche concern exists for areas where ~2” or more new snow fell yesterday. Yesterday’s light snowfall and strong SW wind event led to small wind slabs that may still be sensitive to a human trigger today, leading to MODERATE avalanche at mid and upper elevations. Small loose wet avalanches are possible where new surface snow is warmed by the sun.

2. Moderate

Above Treeline

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

Near Treeline

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

1. Low

Below Treeline

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab

Type ?
Aspect/Elevation ?
Likelihood ?

Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely
Size ?

Historic

Very Large

Large

Small

While snow sensors throughout the region show minimal amounts of snow fall yesterday, limited field observations in the afternoon in the Mammoth area did find 2-3”+ of new snow at mid-elevations, and isolated 5-6” deep denser wind deposits. Strong SW winds were blowing snow at all elevations yesterday, but diminished overnight and will remain light today. For areas where measurable amounts of new snow fell yesterday, watch out for pockets of deeper denser wind deposited snow. The strength of the winds yesterday likely resulted in these slabs forming in less-obvious places. Do your own localized assessments before committing to steeper consequential terrain where a windslab may exist. While burial is not likely, triggering a small slab could result in a very bad ride.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet

Type ?
Aspect/Elevation ?
Likelihood ?

Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely
Size ?

Historic

Very Large

Large

Small

Even though temperatures will remain cool today, blue skies and sunshine will warm solar aspects making shallow loose wet slides possible. This will only really be concerning for areas where greater amounts of new snow fell yesterday and where it didn’t get blown away. Pay attention to your timing and watch for signs such as rollerballs and sticky snow surfaces indicating that a larger slide could be triggered on steep slopes. Be aware of what is overhead that could be heated by rocks and funnel down on top of you.

advisory discussion

Shallow snowpack exists! Be aware of shallowly buried obstacles!

recent observations

Submit Snowpack Observations

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-3/7 - Mammoth - Sherwins: 2-3" new snow, 5-6" denser wind deposits.

-3/7 - June - Negatives: New snow and wind.

-3/7 - Mammoth - TJ Bowl: Morning snowfall, winds, and blowing snow.

-3/7 - Mammoth - Smugglers: Underlying snowpack.

-3/7 - Mammoth - Minaret Vista: Morning snowfall, underlying snowpack.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Expect a clear brisk sunny morning after yesterday’s light snowfall, with light south to southwest winds gusting up to 30mph at mid and upper elevations. Skies should become partly cloudy in the afternoon, with high temperatures only reaching near freezing around 10,000’.

Scattered snow showers are possible Monday thru Wednesday, with trace amounts of accumulation on Monday and a few inches possible by the end of Wednesday. Some models are showing the potential for a larger storm at the end of next weekend, but that’s too far off to make any bets.

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:	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Mostly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 25%.
Temperatures:	32 to 42. deg. F.	19 to 25. deg. F.	33 to 43. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	South to southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.	Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.	Southwest around 15 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.	up to 1 inch. \| SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Sunday	Sunday Night	Monday
Weather:	Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Partly cloudy then becoming mostly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Temperatures:	24 to 32. deg. F.	13 to 19. deg. F.	25 to 33. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.	Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	Southwest 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph decreasing to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	up to 1 inch. \| SWE = less than 0.10 inch. 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.