Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with an avalanche advisory posted on Wednesday, April 9, 2008.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER

   Today will be the last day of winter like weather before spring comes
   in like a lion. Yesterday felt like January with temperatures in the
   20s and strong winds bringing sub zero wind chill to wind exposed
   areas. Morning temperatures range from 8 to 14F at the 9,000 to 10,000
   ft elevation with higher elevations close to 0F.

   For today, 8,000 ft temperatures will warm to the low 40s then increase
   by 10 F for Thursday and Friday. 9,000 ft elevations will be warmer
   today with highs in the mid to upper 30s. Higher elevations will
   continue to be cold and windy with highs in the low to mid 20s today
   and in the upper 30s and possibly the low 40s by Thursday. Nights will
   continue to be cold with lows in the single digits up to around 15 F.

   As the trough moves to the east to give the Wasatch another powder day,
   north winds will follow and plague high alpine terrain with gusts up to
   40 and 50 mph. As a high pressure ridge builds into the West Coast by
   Friday, there will be a dramatic increase in both daytime and night
   time temperatures.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   Isolated snow showers left a light dusting of new snow and thin wind
   crusts on northern aspects yesterday. Todays cold temperatures and
   strong north winds continue to promote faceting in the upper meter or
   so of the snowpack. Though faceted snow does not pose much of a
   stability problem today, it could become a serious avalanche problem by
   tomorrow if the temperature forecast verifies and temperatures climb 20
   degrees F in 2 days.

   For the next few days, night time temperatures are expected to remain
   cold for a good solid night time freeze. By the weekend, some location
   may not freeze at night and the avalanche danger could rise to the
   Considerable rating.

   There are multiple crust layers in the upper 30-40 cm of the snowpack
   in most areas and elevations. These all have the potential to become
   sliding layers once snow melt moves from the surface and reaches one of
   these layers.

   For today, the avalanche danger rating is LOW on all aspects. There
   could be some isolated areas off ridgetops with recently formed small
   wind drifts. In these places the danger rating could be MODERATE if the
   drifts are large enough to knock a person off their feet.

   This danger rating is going to change so it is a good idea to mentally
   switch from the ski or ride everything in sight mentality to paying
   attention to Mother Natures signs of instability.

   BOTTOM LINE

   For today, the avalanche danger rating is LOW on all aspects. There
   could be some isolated areas off ridgetops with recently formed small
   wind drifts. In these places the danger rating could be MODERATE if the
   drifts are large enough to knock a person off their feet.

   This danger rating is going to change so it is a good idea to mentally
   switch from the ski or ride everything in sight mentality to paying
   attention to Mother Natures signs of instability.

   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.