Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with a SPECIAL AVALANCHE STATEMENT which will be in effect for
   Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The next advisory will be posted Saturday
   morning.

   ATTENTION: The Whitney Portal Road has been plowed but will not open
   until next week. Meysan Lakes and Whitney visitors should expect to
   start their trip at the locked gate 7 miles west of Lone Pine.

   DUE TO RAPIDLY WARMING AIR TEMPERATURES AND STRONG SOLAR RADIATION, THE
   UPPER LAYERS OF THE SNOWPACK WILL DESTABILIZE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

   Wet surface sluffs are likely through the weekend. Highly unpredictable
   large wet slab avalanches are possible over the weekend.

   Significant rapid warming over the next couple of days could result in
   CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger for elevations above 9,500 ft. Under
   these conditions, safe travel often requires starting and finishing
   early, and avoiding steep sun-exposed slopes in the afternoon. Always
   be wary of large open slopes and cornices above you and of terrain
   traps in the runout. For Friday, the avalanche danger rating is Low in
   the morning, rising to MODERATE by mid day on eastern and southern
   aspects. Northern aspects will likely be a day behind the MODERATE by
   mid day avalanche danger rating, with a MODERATE rating expected by the
   weekend.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER

   Temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees warmer today. The cold air mass has
   moved to the east and gusty north winds are keeping temperatures above
   9500 ft from warming more than another 5-6 degrees today, except for
   Mammoth Mountain, where the 1 PM temperature was 46 F. By Friday, the
   warm up begins in earnest with daytime highs expected to climb another
   5 to 10 degrees. Nighttime lows increased 10 degrees F this morning and
   are expected to reach above freezing by the weekend.

   The weather forecast is on track for a steady rise in temperatures
   until Saturday, and then remain warm until Tuesday.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   Clear skies and light winds will allow solar energy to melt the upper
   few inches of the snowpack. I have some real concerns regarding the
   upcoming warming trend. If nights remain cold with a good freeze,
   avalanche activity will probably be confined to surface point releases.
   Faceted snow formed during the last 10 days of cool and windy weather
   adds to the uncertainty of how the snowpack will react. Look for wet
   sluff activity by this afternoon and tomorrow. Pay particular attention
   to traveling under rock ridges or in narrow canyons and gullies that
   could become a terrain trap.

   If temperatures at the higher elevations dont fall below freezing, then
   conditions are right for a wet slab avalanche cycle. Wet slabs are
   unpredictable and can be very large. In May of 2006, there was a wet
   slab cycle during the first 2 days in May after four days of increasing
   night and daytime temperatures. I wish I could be more certain about
   the likelihood of a wet slab cycle. The truth is we dont understand
   much about how and why wet slabs release- we know much more about
   winter dry slab avalanches.

   Initially avalanche activity should be limited to wet surface
   loose-snow avalanches primarily on steep sun exposed slopes, which can
   easily have enough mass to take someone for a ride and although slow,
   they can run remarkable distances. As the snowpack continues to warm
   over time, deeper instabilities may start to play a role, potentially
   resulting in larger wet slab avalanches on all aspects and at all
   elevations.

   BOTTOM LINE

   For Friday, the avalanche danger rating is Low in the morning, rising
   to MODERATE by mid day on eastern and southern aspects. Northern
   aspects will likely be a day behind the MODERATE by mid day avalanche
   danger rating, with a MODERATE rating expected by the weekend.

   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.