Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with an avalanche advisory posted on Wednesday March 19, 2008.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER

   Under the influence of a weak ridge of high pressure, Tuesdays
   temperatures climbed 10-15 degrees from Monday with highs at 9,000 to
   9,500 ft ranging from 48F to 54 at Mammoth Pass and South Lake. Bishop
   Pass at 11,200 ft reached 51F yesterday.

   By this afternoon, skies will become cloudy with slightly cooler high
   temperatures than yesterday. Morning temperatures at 9,000 ft this
   morning are in the low 30s with Reno NWS forecasting highs around 37F
   for today. Southwest winds have already picked up at Mammoth Mountain
   with gusts to 40 mph at Main Lodge.

   Elevations above 10,000 ft will see highs in the mid 30s with 20 to 30
   mph southwest winds gusting to 60 mph. The Owens Valley and the eastern
   slopes of the southern Sierra could see strong winds especially just
   below canyon openings tonight.

   Windy and cooler conditions are the result of an upper low sitting over
   Alaska with a jet and moisture plume into the Pacific Northwest. The
   Oregon/ California (Mt. Shasta) could get over 3 inches of
   precipitation by the end of the day, however, the moisture never gets
   farther south. There is no snowfall in the forecast for the rest of the
   week.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION
   Despite warmer temperatures and solar radiation maximums above 1000
   watts per square meter, north facing slopes above 9,600 ft. still have
   winter snow. Below 9,600 ft., snow conditions range from high friction
   surface melt zones around trees that suddenly stop gliding skis.

   There is still faceted snow at elevations above 10,000 ft., especially
   on the sides of shaded gullies. One observer reported weak faceted snow
   in a popular southeast gully. Faceted snow may become a weak layer as
   spring progresses but this will have to be monitored once spring
   weather arrives.

   Though the winds were calm Tuesday morning, southwest winds increased
   yesterday afternoon, moving snow onto northwest through east facing
   slopes. As southwest winds pick up later today, the avalanche danger
   will remain MODERATE in isolated pockets off steep north facing
   ridgetops. On all other terrain, the avalanche danger rating is LOW.

   This time of year can be tricky for assessing avalanche danger. There
   is a winter snowpack at the higher elevations and many sun exposed
   aspects have a thin melt freeze surface that can vary from frozen to
   wet in an hour. Elevations from 8,000 to 9,500 ft still have some damp
   winter snow in sheltered and shaded locations but all other aspects are
   changing to spring snow. Pay attention to slope aspect and angle on
   your tours- sometimes a slight change in aspect can mean the difference
   between a nice corn snow descent and wet snow instability.

   BOTTOM LINE
   Though the winds were calm Tuesday morning, southwest winds increased
   yesterday afternoon, moving snow onto northwest through east facing
   slopes. As southwest winds pick up later today, the avalanche danger
   will remain MODERATE in isolated pockets off steep north facing
   ridgetops. On all other terrain, the avalanche danger rating is LOW.

   The avalanche danger rating is LOW on southern aspects this morning and
   may rise to MODERATE this afternoon. .

   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.