THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 21, 2015 @ 6:41 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 20, 2015 @ 6:41 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Small isolated areas of wet snow instability may form in response to daytime warming. 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 air temperatures near to below freezing in most areas. Wet surface snow will develop today in response to daytime warming, with the greatest amounts on SE-S-SW aspects. In areas where significant cloud cover holds through the morning hours, melt will occur more slowly. In areas where the snowpack is shallow around exposed rocks and bushes, full depth wet snow may occur. Free water drainage is well established in the areas where the greatest amount of wet snow will form. Areas of wet snow instability are expected to remain small and isolated. Human triggered roller balls, pinwheels, or a small loose wet snow sluff are possible today, but larger wet snow avalanches are not expected.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Recent observations from around the forecast area have shown well established melt freeze conditions on SE-S-SW aspects. Superficial melt freeze conditions exist on NW-N-NE aspects with E and W aspects somewhere in between. In areas where only the top few inches of the snowpack have undergone melt-freeze, the layers of the mid and basal portion of the snowpack are well bonded. In some locations on higher elevation shaded northerly aspects, near crust facets remain, but are not a problem at this time. On southerly aspects that have undergone significant melt in recent weeks, free water drainage from the snowpack is well established.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure is building over the eastern Pacific and a weak weather system is passing to the south of the forecast area. As a result, light winds and above average air temperatures are expected for today courtesy of the high pressure. The passing weather system will provide some cloud cover through the morning hours. The thickest could cover is expected south of Hwy 50. This cloud cover is expected to clear the region this afternoon, leading to sunny skies. Remote sensors are reporting air temperature this morning at 8,000' to 9,000' in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 30s to mid 40s today for areas above 7,000'. Light winds are expected today and tonight. Sunny skies, light east winds, and a few degrees of cooling are forecast for Wednesday.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 28 to 35 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 41 to 48 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 22 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 23 to 33 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, becoming sunny. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 40 to 46 deg. F. 18 to 25 deg. F. 36 to 43 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: W E SE
Wind Speed: Light winds Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. 10 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, becoming sunny. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 38 to 44 deg. F. 19 to 26 deg. F. 33 to 40 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: W E E
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light. Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 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.