This avalanche advisory is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This advisory covers the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass on the north and Ebbetts Pass on the south. Click here for a map of the forecast area. This advisory applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This advisory expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this advisory is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

This advisory was posted on Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 at 6:59 am

The bottom line: Near and above treeline, avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded N-NE-E aspects 35 degrees and steeper. Below treeline, avalanche danger is MODERATE in open areas, 37 degrees and steeper.

The weather system that moved through the area late yesterday and overnight has passed to the east of the forecast area this morning. A few additional weak disturbances will pass through the forecast area today, creating periods of snow shower activity. Cold front passage occurred overnight, leaving cold air over the forecast area this morning. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds have remained westsouthwesterly to westerly overnight. Ridgetop winds are expected to shift to moderate northwesterly during the day today.

Storm totals are running 12-17 inches of new snow along the Sierra Crest this morning, with around 9 inches of new snow reported in the Mount Rose area. Cold temperatures created low density (around 6-7% H2O) new snow that has been deposited on top of high density crust surfaces in most areas. Remote sensors recorded slightly shifting direction and variable speeds for ridgetop winds overnight. This will contribute to unstable slab formation in wind loaded areas on N-NE-E aspects. Snowpack failure that occurs today is expected at the new snow/old snow interface or within the new snow. Snowpack observations this morning are showing active shears within the top half of the new snow. As ridgetop winds shift to northwesterly and new snowfall continue this morning, natural avalanches remain possible and human triggered avalanches are probable near and above treeline on N-NE-E aspects, 35 degrees and steeper. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind loaded areas today should not be surprised by the occurrence of human triggered avalanches.

Below treeline, areas of steep terrain are prone to human triggered sluff avalanches today. This will occur most easily in open areas 37 degrees and steeper where new snow is deposited onto old snow surfaces that are in the form of smooth, frozen crust. Ideal bed surface conditions for sluff activity are found mainly above 7,500'.

The bottom line: Near and above treeline, avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded N-NE-E aspects 35 degrees and steeper. Below treeline, avalanche danger is MODERATE in open areas, 37 degrees and steeper.

SAC is very grateful of everyone who was involved in the SAC Ski Day fundraiser at Sugar Bowl. With the financial support of everyone who purchased SAC lift tickets and the organizational and marketing support of those who made the event possible, we were able to raise just over $10,000 for our operating budget. This will allow us to finish operations this spring and have funding for operations during the first two months of next winter. Thank you to all contributors, Sugar Bowl Ski Area, and Snowbomb.com!

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

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Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 13 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 35 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Westsouthwesterly to westerly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 45 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 79 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 9-17 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 74 inches

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Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Cloudy with snow showers.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 18 to 23 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Northwesterly at 25-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 1-2 inches

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2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:
7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, cloudy with snow showers. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 23 to 29 degrees F. Northwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy in the evening and then clearing. Overnight lows around 16 degrees F. Northeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. Wednesday, sunny with daytime highs 30 to 36 degrees F. Northeast winds at 10 mph are expected.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, cloudy with snow showers. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 18 to 23 degrees F. Northwest winds at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy in the evening and then clearing. Isolated snow showers early. Overnight lows around 15 degrees F. Northeast winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Wednesday, sunny with daytime highs 26 to 32 degrees F. Northeast winds at 15 to 25 mph with gust to 50 mph are expected.

The bottom line:

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

Weather Observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft and 8800 ft:

0600 temperature:	deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast - Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.