THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 11, 2015 @ 6:56 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 10, 2015 @ 6:56 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some small loose wet snow instabilities could still occur on some steep slopes today on any aspect. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

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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    Certain
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Sunshine and warm temperatures will allow wet snow to form on the surface again today. Some roller balls and pinwheels may occur on steep slopes where wet surface snow forms. These could happen on any aspect today and may become more prevalent on the northerly aspects since cloud cover could allow those aspects to warm up this afternoon. These instabilities should not involve enough snow to bury a person, but they could push someone off course or knock a person over. Isolated small loose wet avalanches are not outside the realm of possibility today on all aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday observations on Chickadee Ridge showed soft unconsolidated snow on the north aspects, sun crusts on the E-ENE aspects, and transitional melt-freeze snow that has not "corned-up" on the southerly aspects. Snowpit tests, ski cuts, and general observations did not reveal any signs of instabilities. Snow melt on the southerly aspects had exposed many areas of bare ground in this area. SE-S-SW aspects across Mt. Rose Hwy. including Rose Knob Peak and the main snowmobile access area also have melted back to bare ground in many places. This exposed ground has impacted snowmobile access.

These observations correlate well to other recent observations from around the forecast area. Soft cold snow still exits on north aspects above 7800 ft. and coverage on these aspects remains decent. Southerly aspects including those in the Carson Pass, Mt. Rose, and Castle Peak areas have melted out significantly and only hold patches of snow in most places. The snow that remains on those southerly slopes has not transitioned to corn in most places and still becomes wet and sticky when it warms up. Easterly aspects hold sun crusts and transitional melt-freeze snow.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Warm and mostly sunny weather should continue through this morning. The southwest winds and cloud cover should begin to increase this afternoon as a small low pressure system approaches the region. These winds will continue to increase tonight and remain strong through tomorrow morning. Some precipitation should accompany this system tonight and into tomorrow. Initially, snow levels could drop below 7000 ft, but they should climb back up to between 7000 and 8000 ft. for most of the precipitation. The forecast calls for a mix of rain and snow below 8000 ft. and up to 2 inches of snow above 8000 ft. by the end of the day 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: 37 to 44 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 47 to 55 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 to 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 39 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 28 to 45 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 becoming partly to mostly cloudy by this afternoon Cloudy with a slight chance of rain and snow after midnight Cloudy with snow likely in the morning and rain likely in the afternoon
Temperatures: 50 to 56 deg. F. 26 to 33 deg. F. 34 to 43 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: South shifting to southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph decreasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 up to 2
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny becoming partly to mostly cloudy by this afternoon Cloudy with a slight chance of snow after midnight Cloudy with snow likely
Temperatures: 44 to 50 deg. F. 22 to 29 deg. F. 30 to 35 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: South shifting to southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph 35 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph decreasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 1 to 2
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.