Good morning this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with an avalanche advisory posted on Tuesday, February 12,
   2008. 

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER
   The mid winter warm spell continues through today. High temperatures
   will be a few degrees cooler today with high elevation mountain
   locations dropping back from the low 50s to the mid and upper 40s.
   Winds this morning are from the east to east northeast and will shift
   to the southwest and west this afternoon. Low temperatures will be in
   the low to mid 20s.

   Wednesday will be much cooler and windy as a trof and cold front pass
   over the area. Snow showers are expected by Wednesday afternoon with
   accumulations of a few inches. By Wednesday night, strong winds will
   blow any new snow far, far away with ridgetop gusts in the 100 mph
   range. Wednesday will be about 10-120 F cooler.

   The Owens Valley will be windy also with the possibility of a high
   wind watch or warning possible for Wednesday night.

   Thursday will be cold with gradual warming expected for the weekend. A
   pattern change could occur near the end of the month as the effects of
   the MJO affect the west coast.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   With a stable snowpack, many big lines from the Dana Plateau to the
   Independence are being skied without incident. Snow conditions range
   from hard wind slab to nice powder in sheltered places from trees to
   high elevation gullies and couloirs. South and southeastern slopes
   that receive solar radiation most of the day are beginning the
   transformation to spring snow even at elevations above 10,000 and
   11,000 feet.

   Compression and extended column tests are producing hard results on
   north aspects in the upper elevations of the Lakes Basin and Rock
   Creek. West and southern aspects with shallower snow have well defined
   layers between the faceted snow that formed after the January 4-7
   storms and early Februarys snow. Large facets are becoming rounded as
   they gain strength in the absence of a temperature gradient.

   The main concern is on south to southeast aspects. Point release wet
   slides are possible with some larger slides occurring yesterday from
   rock outcrops. These avalanches will be a problem today. For Wednesday
   and Thursday, solar radiation will be much less with clouds and snow
   showers and the possibility of wet slides will be non existent.

   BOTTOM LINE
   For today, the avalanche danger rating is LOW. 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.

   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.