Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center with an avalanche advisory posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. MOUNTAIN WEATHER Daytime highs will be about 5-8F warmer today with the 9,000 ft elevations reaching 40 for the first time in over a week. Sun angles are increasing so temperatures will warm rapidly during the day after night time lows in the teens and low 20s for the rest of the week. I would not be surprised if temperatures at Mammoth Pass reach 50F by Wednesday. Winds will be light from the west. Elevations above 10,000 ft will see temperatures rise to near 40 F today and 45 F on Wednesday. Winds will be light around 10-15 mph and blow from the north. SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION Over 4 feet of snow accumulated during the Thursday through Sunday storms. 3 to 5 inches of water has increased the water of the snowpack to above normal for this time of year, especially in the southern Sierra. Some snow courses in the southern Sierra have reached the April 1 seasonal average. After a widespread backcountry avalanche cycle brought on by intense loading by wind and high density snow, today was a good day for snow settlement with light winds and end of February solar radiation. The study plot on Sesame Street showed about 6 inches of settlement today as did Leavitt Lake. Rock Creek Lodge reported 17 inches of settlement since the storms began last Thursday. Higher elevation locations like Tioga Pass and Bishop Pass show 6-7 inches of settlement in the past 24 hours. Settlement means the snow is becoming denser and stronger- lousy for powder skiing but good for stability in steep terrain. Though the recent settlement is a good sing of increasing stability, local variations can and do occur. Watch out for dense slabby snow that you punch through into less dense snow of the Thursday/Friday storm, especially above 10,000 ft. Also look out for graupel within the storm snow. The danger rating for today is a blend of the MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE ratings. Natural avalanches are unlikely and it is possible, not probable that a skier could trigger an avalanche. In isolated areas on steep shaded north facing terrain, convex rolls or where the snow is shallow around rocks, unstable slabs are probable. Also watch out for cross loaded terrain where the wind has scoured ridges and deposited snow in deep, smooth pillows. BOTTOM LINE The avalanche danger rating today is MODERATE in most terrain. The avalanche danger rating is CONSIDERABLE in isolated areas with shaded, .steep north facing terrain. 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.