Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with an avalanche advisory posted for Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER

   Temperatures at the 8,000 ft elevation reached 47 F on Tuesday, with
   about 5 degrees of cooling expected for today. Expect highs today to
   reach the low 30s above 9,500 ft and the mid 20s above 10,500 ft today.
   Night time lows will be in the low 20s at the 8,000 to 9,000 ft
   elevations and in the teens at the higher elevations. Most mountain
   locations will continue to see north and northwest winds on the
   ridgetops with gusts in the 30 mph range.

   The north winds continue today as a ridge builds into California, with
   the mountains in the 30s and Bishop cooling from 70 yesterday to 62 F
   today. For the rest of the week, a series of shortwave troughs embedded
   in strong Pacific zonal flow aloft, pass to the north. Each successive
   wave will serve to erode the West Coast ridge and by early next week,
   there is a chance a potentially significant storm could bring snow in
   the Monday night/Tuesday time frame.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   South and north of Mammoth yesterday, ridgetop winds from the north
   were moving snow onto high elevation southern aspects. Based on the
   length of time ridgetop winds were moving snow, I expect small
   windslabs to have formed under northeasterly trending ridgelines. These
   slabs will be obvious and not likely to be very hazardous. Today at
   12,000 ft in the Bishop Creek area, northwest winds were moving snow
   onto east facing aspects. The wind sensor at Lake Sabrina recorded
   gusts over 50 mph during the day yesterday and winds continue to be
   gusty this morning.

   These new wind drifts could result in small avalanches if triggered by
   a skier or rider and since the weekend winds stripped north and east
   facing slopes, one could go for a fast ride down the firm windboard
   found up high. This pattern will repeat today- wind transport onto east
   to southeast slopes off the highest ridgetops along the Sierra Crest.
   The Mammoth area will see some isolated pockets of wind drifting on
   steep slopes below the Mammoth Crest on east to northeast facing
   terrain.

   BOTTOM LINE

   The avalanche danger rating today is LOW with isolated pockets of
   MODERATE danger on steep terrain greater than 35 degrees. Look for
   pockets of wind deposited snow right below ridgetops in alpine terrain,
   mainly on southeast facing slopes.

   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.