Observations have been made in a major, eastern canyon of the Sierra Nevada, and are the first documentation of the mountain and valley wind system in this range. The topography of the "Eastside" of the Sierra Nevada is unique, producing some interesting flow patterns. Surface and upper-air data have been collected during summer and winter from 1994 through 1997. The mountain wind and similarly the valley wind have been observed as regular features of Lee Vining Canyon. However, results have shown a complex wind regime where the normal up-canyon valley wind is often replaced with a down-canyon flow by mid-afternoon. This wind, which depends on a number of mechanisms, is more common during summer than winter which suggests that it may be thermally driven. During winter, katabatic flows have been observed in the upper reaches of the canyon proper, while a distinct valley wind dominated the lower regions of the canyon.

[This publication is referenced in the "Synthesis of knowledge of extreme fire behavior: volume I for fire managers" (Werth et al 2011).]