Avalanche Advisory: Tuesday - Feb 18, 2020

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON February 19, 2020 @ 6:21 am
Avalanche Advisory published on February 18, 2020 @ 6:21 am

Issued by Steve Mace - ESAC

Bottom Line

How to read the advisory

LOW avalanche danger persists at all elevations today. Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Be on the lookout for isolated areas of unstable snow and be aware that the biggest hazards right now are the low coverage and variable surface conditions.

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

Increased cloud cover may limit solar radiation today, and moderate to strong winds will act to cool down surface conditions as well. Even still we may see surface snow soften by midday, particularly on solar aspects if the cloud cover proves to be less then expected. Significant loose wet activity will remain unlikely.

While our recent weather patterns have led to relatively benign avalanche conditions, the biggest hazards today may be the thin coverage and a variety of slick surface conditions. Field observations yesterday found very hard slick surfaces on all aspects. Slide for life conditions may exist in places you typically don’t expect to find them. Terrain selection and timing will be important if you decide to venture into the backcountry today. It may be necessary to climb on hard slick snow and wait for the sun to soften things up before descending. Continue to practice safe travel techniques and bring the proper equipment for your objective. Most importantly be flexible, and move to less consequential terrain if the challenging conditions don’t match up with your group's equipment or ability level.

recent observations

Submit Snowpack Observations

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02/17-Mammoth area- Hard slick Surface conditions in the Sherwins

02/17-Mammoth area- Surface warming in Fresno bowl

02/17-June lake area- Glide cracks over Deadman chutes

02/17-Mammoth area- Solar warming on the backside of Mammoth Mtn

02/16-Virginia lakes- Snow conditions, solar warming

02/16-Mammoth area- Snow conditions Panorama dome

02/16-Mammoth area- Snow conditions Minaret Vista

02/15- Independence- Onion valley, snow conditions

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Expect partly cloudy skies and seasonably cool temperatures today. Winds will increase slightly out of the southwest with ridgetop gusts reaching as high as 35 mph. Daytime temperatures may climb above freezing today with highs expected close to 40° f at mid-elevations.

Dry and cool conditions are likely to prevail for the remainder of this week with a slight chance of unsettled weather this weekend or early next week.

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:	Partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.
Temperatures:	35 to 45. deg. F.	15 to 21. deg. F.	32 to 42. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	Southwest around 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	West around 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph decreasing to 25 mph after midnight.	Light winds becoming northeast around 15 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	0 in.	0 in.	0 in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Tuesday	Tuesday Night	Wednesday
Weather:	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.	Partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy then becoming sunny.
Temperatures:	26 to 34. deg. F.	10 to 16. deg. F.	24 to 32. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	Northwest around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning.
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.