THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON April 11, 2016 @ 6:43 am
Avalanche Forecast published on April 10, 2016 @ 6:43 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for all aspects below 9,000' on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing loose wet avalanche problems. The minimal amount of new snow that has deposited under light wind conditions over the upper elevations is not expected to have created new avalanche problems. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists.

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Near Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Below Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
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    Very Likely
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Continued rain on snow and new snow falling on a 0 deg C wet snow surface will keep loose wet instability ongoing today on all aspects in areas below 9,000'. With the rain amounts that occurred over the past 24 hours, free water drainage is becoming increasingly well established on NW-N-NE aspects below 8,500' to 9,000'. The vast majority of today's instability is expected to take the form of loose wet avalanches, however isolated wet slab and glide avalanches are not impossible.

Widespread areas of deep wet snow currently exist and will continue to exist through the day today. Evaluate areas of wet snow for supportability. If in doubt, step off of equipment and observed the depth of body weight boot penetration into wet snow. Anything deeper than 8 to 10 inches is problematic. Avoid travel on or below slopes 35 degrees and steeper when unsupportable deep wet snow conditions are present.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations made yesterday on Becker Ridge (Echo Summit area) revealed a mix of rain and snow up to the high point of travel at 8,000' during the morning hours. Generally light to moderate rain was observed with periods of snowfall down to 7,900' during bursts of higher intensity precipitation. No accumulation was observed. A saturated wet snow surface existed on all aspects. At 8,000', wet snow made up at least the top 2 feet of the snowpack on N aspects. Ski cuts on N aspect test slopes steeper than 40 degrees produced shallow loose wet avalanche activity.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

The southern tracking weather system that has brought mostly rain and a few inches of snow over the upper elevations will move east across far southern CA and NV today. Snow level dropped to 7,500' to 8,000' last night. Snow level is expected to rise to 8,000' to 9,000' today. Precipitation will taper down today with ongoing shower activity expected. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms for this afternoon. Shower activity will further decrease tomorrow, but the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms will continue. Ridgetop winds have been mainly light out of the W with some variability. Light winds are forecast for today 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: 31 to 34 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 37 to 42 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: W
Average ridgetop wind speed: 3 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 27 mph
New snowfall: Rain 0.5 to 1.2 inches | Snow 0 to 3 inches
Total snow depth: 66 to 103 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers in the morning. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered rain and snow showers in the evening. Slight chance of rain and snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of rain and snow showers in the morning. A chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Temperatures: 39 to 46 deg. F. 27 to 34 deg. F. 43 to 50 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: NW W Variable
Wind Speed: Light winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening, becoming light. Light winds
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the morning. Rain and snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered rain and snow showers in the evening. Slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the morning. A chance of rain showers, snow showers, and thunderstorms in the afternoon
Temperatures: 34 to 41 deg. F. 26 to 33 deg. F. 38 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: NW W Variable
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph 10 to 15 mph in the evening, becoming light. Light winds
Expected snowfall: Up to 2 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.

For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (530) 587-3558 x258