Avalanche Advisory: Wednesday - Jan 30, 2019 | Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON January 31, 2019 @ 6:45 am
Avalanche Advisory published on January 30, 2019 @ 6:45 am

Issued by Chris Engelhardt - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Bottom Line

How to read the advisory

The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations today. Be cognizant of residing warm temperatures and the potential for loose wet conditions in the mid to low elevations, especially if the day is sunnier than expected.

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 ?
Aspect/Elevation ?
Likelihood ?

Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely
Size ?

Historic

Very Large

Large

Small

Cloudy conditions today will temper the solar input, but with continued warm temperatures there is potential for some small wet loose conditions in the mid to lower elevations. If the sun does decide to shine at all, increased awareness will be appropriate for traveling on or under sunny aspects. One of the biggest hazards encountered the past few days is sticky snow both on the up and down track that has just made travel unpleasant. The snowpack has been adjusting to the previous sunny days and combined warm temps and is starting to settle down after a bit of wet loose activity this past weekend. Pay attention to terrain traps such as ravines, depressions and boulder fields or areas where cavities and tree wells are opening up.

advisory discussion

The warm and sunny conditions of late have provided a fantastic time to travel in the mountains and although the heat doesn’t always make for the best mid-winter surface conditions, it sure has helped strengthen and settle our snowpack. Recent snow profiles have shown better bonding and rounding of faceted layers, and tests have shown good overall stability. Just keep in mind it is a vast area, and continue to use your own assessments and route finding especially in regards to warming slopes that present overhead hazards.

THANKS to all the public volunteers who have been submitting valuable observations. We have had daily reports from parts unknown and it really helps us all see and learn what’s going on in those big beautiful mountains we get to enjoy. BIG THANKS –ESAC Forecasters

recent observations

Submit Snowpack Observations

Submit Avalanche Observations

1/29 – Lee Vining - V bowl – snow conditions

1/29 – Bishop Creek - Paiute Crags - snow conditions

1/29 - Mammoth Area - Minaret Vista - snow conditions

1/29 - June Lake Area - Snowprofile

1/28 - Wheeler Crest - Witcher Bowl - snow conditions

1/28 - Mammoth Area - Earthquake Dome - snow conditions

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Mostly cloudy skies and above freezing temperatures are on tap for today. Temps may reach mid-40s below 10,000ft and into to the mid-30s for the highest elevations. By tonight there is a slim chance we could see minor amounts of snow. Light winds are forecasted for all elevations. Although chances for snow during the work week are kind of fizzling, the storm for late Friday into Saturday is looking better with a more southerly track that could bring the heaviest snowfall to Alpine and Mono counties. The system has a weak atmospheric river tap, but it is still uncertain if the jet stream trajectory will favor orographic enhancement leading to increased snowfall for our area. More than likely we will get some snow; how much, is still uncertain at this point.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 8,000 ft. to 10,000 ft.

	Wednesday	Wednesday Night	Thursday
Weather:	Mostly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels 8000 feet decreasing to 7000 feet after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 25%.	Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 45%.
Temperatures:	38 to 46. deg. F.	25 to 30. deg. F.	34 to 42. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds:	Light winds.	Light winds.	Light winds.
Expected snowfall:	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	20% probability up to 1 inch. 80% probability no accumulation. \| SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.	40% probability up to 2 inches. 60% probability no accumulation. \| SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.

Over 10,000 ft.

	Wednesday	Wednesday Night	Thursday
Weather:	Mostly cloudy. Snow levels 7000 feet increasing to 8000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 5%.	Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels 8000 feet decreasing to 7000 feet after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 25%.	Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Temperatures:	30 to 36. deg. F.	19 to 24. deg. F.	27 to 33. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds:	Light winds.	South 10 to 15 mph.	Southeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning becoming light.
Expected snowfall:	No accumulation. \| SWE = none. in.	30% probability up to 1 inch. 70% probability no accumulation. \| SWE = less than 0.10 inch. in.	40% probability of up to 3 inches. 60% probability no accumulation. \| SWE = up to 0.15 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.