THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 13, 2015 @ 6:40 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 12, 2015 @ 6:40 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects.

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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A decent snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with below freezing air temperatures under partly cloudy skies. Colder air temperatures combined with increasing cloud cover are expected to reduce the amount of snow surface melt that occurs today as compared to recent days. Any areas of surface wet snow instability that form today are expected to remain small and isolated. In areas around exposed rocks and bushes where the snowpack could become unsupportable, free water drainage is already well established. This will keep the likelihood of any full depth wet snow instability to a minimum. The snow surface on northerly aspects is expected to remain frozen all day in most areas.

recent observations
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Cloud cover was much slower to materialize yesterday than forecast. As a result, observations made yesterday on Silver Peak (Pole Creek area) revealed wet surface snow formation exceeding forecast expectations. At 12:45 pm, 2 inches of wet surface snow existed on top of supportable melt-freeze crust on SE aspects in the 7,400' to 8,000' elevation range. Below 7,400' the snowpack became increasingly less supportable with unsupportable areas noted on all aspects around exposed rocks and bushes. No signs of wet snow instability were observed. Similar snow surface conditions were reported from the Carson Pass area in the 8,000' to 9,000' range. Low and mid elevation areas have lost significant amounts of snowpack depth over the past week.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A weather system passing to the north and east of the forecast area this morning will push a weak cold front through the region. Maximum daytime air temperatures are expected at 5 to 10 degrees colder today than yesterday. Cloud cover is expected to increase as the morning progresses. Southwest ridgetop winds over the past 24 hours have generally mixed out air temperature inversion from the mountains. Remote sensors are reporting 8,000' to 9,000' air temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s this morning. Maximum daytime air temperatures are expected in the low to upper 30s today for areas above 7,000'. Ridgetop winds are forecast to remain moderate in speed out of the west to northwest before shifting to the northeast and east tonight and 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: 27 to 31 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 37 to 42 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 19 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 38 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 24 to 34 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy skies. Partly cloudy skies, becoming clear. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 33 to 40 deg. F. 17 to 24 deg. F. 29 to 36 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: W W shifting to NE E
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light. Light winds shifting and increasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph after midnight. 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Mostly cloudy skies. Partly cloudy skies, becoming clear. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 32 to 38 deg. F. 17 to 24 deg. F. 29 to 36 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: NW NE NE
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Gusts increasing to up 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.