THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 21, 2015 @ 6:58 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 20, 2015 @ 6:58 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger should remain LOW at all elevations and on all aspects today. Many of the northerly aspects should remain firm and frozen while other sun-exposed aspects should experience some surface softening. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

1. Low

?

Above Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

?

Near Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

?

Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Temperatures remained above freezing last night in most mid to upper elevation areas. Despite these warm temperatures, clear skies overnight should have allowed for a reasonable refreeze since the snowpack could radiate heat out into the night. Today's light to moderate winds should help keep the snow surface from melting too quickly, but the sunshine and warm temperatures will still provide enough warmth for soft and wet snow to form on the sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Since the snowpack has already been through so many melt freeze cycles, and the sun still remains relatively low in the sky, the snowpack should remain supportable below the surface wet snow. Little to no wet snow instability is expected today. Shaded northerly aspects should remain frozen today.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday on Mt. Judah in the Donner Summit area, 1-2 inches of soft corn snow existed above a supportable base of melt-freeze snow on sun-exposed E aspects by 11 am. Ski cuts and observations did not reveal any signs of wet snow instabilities on these sun-exposed aspects. On the more northerly aspects a firm, supportable melt-freeze crust existed above a strong and well bonded snowpack. Snow cover remains sparse below 7800 ft.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

The forecast calls for more sunny and clear weather today since the high pressure remains in place over the forecast area. The winds should start to increase and temperatures should cool a few degrees as a cold front begins to approach the region from the north. Today's highs should only reach into the mid to upper 40's above 7000 ft. The northwest winds should continue to increase tomorrow and daytime highs should cool a few more degrees into the upper 30's to mid 40's above 7000 ft. as this system gets closer. The forecast calls for the main part of this system to arrive later in the weekend. Check in with the Reno NWS for more details.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 35 to 39 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 49 to 54 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest to northwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 25 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 27 to 43 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny Mostly clear Mostly sunny
Temperatures: 44 to 51 deg. F. 23 to 30 deg. F. 43 to 49 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Northwest Northwest shifting to the east after midnight Northwest shifting to the northeast in the afternoon
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny Mostly clear Mostly sunny
Temperatures: 43 to 49 deg. F. 22 to 29 deg. F. 37 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Northwest North Northwest
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph decreasing to 30 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
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.