Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center with a storm update posted Friday, January 4, 2008. MOUNTAIN WEATHER The well advertised snowfall began early this morning. Between 7 and 9 AM, the Sesame Street study plot on Mammoth Mountain picked up 8 inches of new snow and the storm is just getting going. Tioga Pass has picked up 7. After last year and the beginning of this season when storm totals of 8 were something to get excited about, this is the real deal Sierra storm. The Reno and Las Vegas offices of the NWS have issued a blizzard warning for Mono County and the southern Sierra. The White Mountains are included in the blizzard warning area. A blizzard warning is very rarely used by the NWS, so pay attention and dont plan any travel today. Backcountry travel is not recommended. The blizzard warning is in effect until 10 AM Saturday morning. Very heavy snow and high winds will create blizzard conditions on the east slopes of the Sierra Nevada from Sonora Pass south to the Mt. Whitney area. 50-60 inches of snow is expected to accumulate over this period. Northern Inyo County could see up to 48 above 9,000 ft. The high elevations could experience similar hurricane force winds that hit New Orleans during Katrinas landfall. Strong southwest winds will be in the 90-110 mph range with gusts exceeding 200 mph possible. This morning, winds are gusting to 70 mph on Mammoth Mountain, with a 110 mph gust recorded on Lee Vining Hill. Saturday will bring a brief break to the heavy precipitation but by Saturday afternoon, the next storm hits the Sierra with heavy snow expected in Mono County and the southern Sierra. Another 12-18inches of snow will fall above 9,000 ft. Snow levels will be around 4500 ft and the Owens Valley could get 6 of snow. A winter storm warning will probably be issued for this period because the winds will be less than the hurricane force winds today. SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION One thing is for sure- avalanche danger will increase today. Heavy snowfall rates combined with extreme winds are the recipe for dangerous wind slabs. If 150-200 mph ridge top winds occur, ridge tops will be stripped and huge snow pillows will lurk down slopes in places we may not have ever seen before. After multiple days of wind and snow, the high elevation landscapes will look quite different with huge cornices, wind drifts and avalanche debris. This advisory will be updated by the end of today. BOTTOM LINE Over the next few days, the primary concern will be finding a safe place to ski. The avalanche danger rating has increased to MODERATE on steep slopes with fresh deposits of wind blown snow. Expect the avalanche danger rating to increase during the day. This advisory will be updated by the end of today to reflect the increasing danger Please note that the avalanche danger rating in this advisory expires in 24 hours. This advisory is our best interpretation of snow pack conditions and NWS forecasts issued today. Backcountry travelers should be aware that elevation and geographic distinctions are approximate and that a transition zone exists between upper and lower elevations. Avalanches do not happen by accident and most human involvement is a matter of choice not chance. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches that are triggered by the victim of member of the victim's party. Even small slides can be dangerous. Always practice route finding skills and carry avalanche rescue gear. Remember that avalanche danger ratings are only general guidelines. Distinctions between geographic areas, elevations, slope aspects and slope angles should be made.