THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 10, 2014 @ 7:07 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 9, 2014 @ 7:07 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger linger today at all elevations on SE-S-SW aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper due to poor overnight refreeze of wet surface snow from yesterday. As rain up to 8,000'+ moves into the forecast area late today, additional areas of loose wet avalanche avalanche activity will become possible on all aspects.

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Near Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Below Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
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A marginal to poor overnight refreeze is expected to have occurred last night due to above freezing air temperatures and building cloud cover limiting radiational cooling. Human triggered loose wet avalanches will be possible today on SE-S-SW aspects. As rain falls on snow late today and tonight, additional areas of loose wet snow instability will become possible.

recent observations
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Observations made yesterday on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose Backcountry) and in King's Realm (Bear Valley Backcountry) revealed a mix of old rain crust and melt freeze snow conditions on all aspects below 8,500'. On the higher elevation terrain of Rose Knob Peak, several day old new snow, well bonded to the rain crust below was noted to have not yet experienced a melt phase until yesterday on SE-S-SW aspects above 8,800'. As daytime warming progressed, skier triggered roller balls and pin wheels were noted to form above 8,800'.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A warm pacific storm system is moving onshore this morning. Precipitation is expected to remain limited to the Sierra Crest north of Lake Tahoe today. Rain and snow are expected to spread south through the forecast area tonight. Snow level is expected near or above 8,000' at the onset of precipitation, lowering to 6,000' to 6,500' near the end of the precipitation event Monday morning. Ridgetop winds are increasing in speed out of the southwest this morning. Moderate to strong southwest winds today are forecast to become gale force tonight. Rain followed by new snow amounts of 1 to 4 inches are expected over the next 24 hours. All snow is possible above 9,000'.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 36 to 40 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 50 to 58 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East shifting to southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 38 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 43 to 56 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Cloudy skies with isolated showers. Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers, changing to snow after midnight. Cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Snow in the morning. A chance of snow showers in the afternoon.
Temperatures: 44 to 50 deg. F. 28 to 32 deg. F. 32 to 40 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph. 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.
Expected snowfall: 0 Up to 1 1 to 3
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Cloudy skies with isolated showers. Cloudy skies with scattered snow showers. Cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Snow in the morning. A chance of snow showers in the afternoon.
Temperatures: 37 to 44 deg. F. 25 to 31 deg. F. 28 to 34 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 50 to 55 mph with gusts to 80 mph. 50 to 55 mph with gusts to 80 mph, increasing to 60 to 65 mph with gusts to 90 mph after midnight. 55 to 60 mph with gusts to 90 mph, decreasing to 45 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 to trace Up to 1 1 to 4
Disclaimer

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.