THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 25, 2015 @ 6:37 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 24, 2015 @ 6:37 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Very small pockets of wet snow instability may form today in sun exposed areas that received new snow on Feb 22. Normal caution is advised.

1. Low

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

1. Low

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

1. Low

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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
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Areas of shallow wet surface snow are expected to form today in response to daytime warming. Open, east wind exposed near and above treeline areas will be slow to soften today due to the cold start to the morning and moderate speed east winds. Natural and human triggered roller ball and pinwheel activity is possible today in the areas that received new snow on Feb 22. Any areas where human triggered loose wet instability occurs are expected to remain very small and not pose a significant threat to backcountry travelers. Otherwise, well established melt-freeze snow surface conditions exist. Many northerly aspects could remain frozen all day.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations made yesterday on Rubicon Peak (West Shore Tahoe area) revealed well established melt-freeze snow surface conditions on NW-N-NE aspects from the start of snow cover around 7,600' up to the summit around 9,000'. Isolated pockets of unconsolidated near surface facets composed the snow surface in a few spots, but were not representative of the vast majority of areas on the peak. No new snow from the Feb 22 event was observed in the area. Recent observations have shown that 1 to 3 inches of new snow was deposited in the eastern and southern portions of the forecast area on Feb 22. Otherwise, throughout the forecast area, a well consolidated and well bonded snowpack as been observed in all areas of snow cover.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure is building over the forecast area. Following a run of below average air temperatures for the past few days, maximum daytime air temperatures will return to average today for this time of year. The forecast calls for sunny skies and continued moderate speed east winds today. Remote sensors are reporting air temperatures at 8,000' to 9,000' in the upper teens to mid 20s this morning. Maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast to reach to mid 30s to mid 40s today for areas above 7,000'. Ridgetop winds are expected to shift from east to northwest tonight. Sunny skies and similar maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast for tomorrow.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 17 to 23 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 24 to 27 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Northeast
Average ridgetop wind speed: 42 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 63 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 28 to 44 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 39 to 46 deg. F. 23 to 29 deg. F. 41 to 48 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: E NW W shfting to N in the afternoon.
Wind Speed: 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 36 to 43 deg. F. 18 to 25 deg. F. 37 to 44 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: E NW N
Wind Speed: 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. 15 to 25 mph, Gusts to 30 mph increasing to 40 mph after midnight. 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
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.