Good morning, this is Sue Burak with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche
   Center with an avalanche advisory posted for Saturday April 26, 2008.

   MOUNTAIN WEATHER

   Enjoy the pleasant spring weather the next two days because the weather
   pattern is going to change again. The warming trend continues today
   with gusty north winds developing later today and for Sunday.

   Highs today will reach the upper 40s to low 50s above 10,000 ft. North
   winds will be light, increasing to gusts of 30 mph over the ridge tops
   by the afternoon. Low temperatures are also rising, especially below
   10,000 ft which may not get a good freeze on Saturday night.

   Sunday afternoon will be windy as the high pressure ridge that has
   given us spring weather, moves east. By Monday, winds continue and
   temperatures begin to fall. Another dry storm is on the way for mid
   week and will be accompanied by strong winds.

   SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

   Daytime highs have jumped almost 20 F since Wednesday. Night time lows
   have increased 6 to 10 degrees F but most mountain locations above
   10,000 ft were getting a good solid night time freeze until this
   morning.

   Today will be day three of warmer temperatures, calm winds and smoky
   skies. I have not seen surface melt water penetrating through the knife
   hard ice lens that is just below the snow surface. As long as night
   time temperatures remain several degrees below freezing for most of the
   night, the danger from wet slides is much less than if night time
   temperatures dont get below freezing. When the snowpack does not have a
   good freeze, instability begins earlier in the day.

   Once melt water finally reaches the fine textured winter snow under the
   ice lens, the mechanical strength of the snow will decrease and wet
   avalanches can occur. On north aspects, this process is starting to
   happen at higher elevations but in general, snow conditions remain
   winter like.

   Snowpits done in the higher elevations of South Lake and Rock Creek did
   not show water making its way through the ice lens. Alternating periods
   of cold and warm weather have delayed spring melt- good for a long ski
   season but prolongs the wet snow avalanche cycle suspense for the
   forecaster.

   As the day progresses, look for clues of instability especially close
   to gully walls and rock outcrops. Wet, slushy snow and sun balls are
   signs of unstable snow and its time to move off or out from under
   slopes or cornices. With warmer night time temperatures and clear sunny
   skies today, the danger of wet slides may rise to MODERATE on steep
   east, south and west slopes above 9,600 ft.

   BOTTOM LINE

   With warmer night time temperatures and clear sunny skies today, the
   danger of wet slides may rise to MODERATE on steep terrain above 9,600
   ft. All aspects are suspect, including north 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.