THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON April 12, 2017 @ 6:47 am
Avalanche Forecast published on April 11, 2017 @ 6:47 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger linger today above treeline due to the potential for yesterday's human triggered wind slab avalanche activity to continue. For near treeline and below treeline areas avalanche danger is LOW. Some areas with minor amounts of wet surface snow may exist today, but loose wet avalanche problems are not expected.

2. Moderate

?

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

1. Low

?

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

1. Low

?

Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Winds slabs formed during the most recent snowfall have been slow to stabilize in certain areas as characterized by yesterday's human triggered avalanche activity in the Carson Pass area. Recent field observations from the preceding days did not find signs of particularly problematic or widespread wind slab problems around the forecast area in general. Instability appears to be somewhat isolated. Some wind slabs have been reported to fail near or on the melt-freeze crust at the base of the recent storm snow.

Continue to use caution when traveling in areas with signs of recent wind slab formation, especially above treeline on N and NE aspects. Some of these wind slabs may be firm, allowing a person to travel fairly far out onto the slab before an avalanche occurs.

 

recent observations
Submit Observations

A fair amount of human triggered avalanche activity was reported yesterday. Three small to medium sized unintentionally skier triggered wind slab avalanches occurred above treeline on N to NE aspects in the Carson Pass area. One medium sized intentionally skier triggered loose wet avalanche was reported to have occurred in below treeline terrain on an E aspect in the Mount Rose area.

 

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A warming trend with increasing cloud cover and light precipitation is forecast for today and tomorrow. Snow levels are expected at around 7,500' before falling to around 5,000' Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Precipitation amounts for today and tomorrow will be minimal with less than 2 inches of new snow expected over the next 36 hours. Ridgetop winds will be out of the SW today and tomorrow. Gradually increasing moderate to strong wind speed with gale force gusts are expected by this afternoon. A more significant storm system capable of producing around a foot of new snow will impact the forecast area Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 25 to 32 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 36 to 42 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 30 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 51 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 127 to 190 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow in the morning. A chance of snow in the afternoon. Cloudy skies, becoming partly cloudy. A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of rain or snow in the morning. A slight chance of rain or snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures: 41 to 47 deg. F. 27 to 32 deg. F. 43 to 49 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon. 15 to 25 mph. Gusts to 45 mph increasing to 55 mph after midnight. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 50 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: Up to 1 0 to trace 0 to trace
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow in the morning. A chance of snow in the afternoon. Cloudy skies, becoming partly cloudy. A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning, then slight chance of snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures: 36 to 44 deg. F. 24 to 29 deg. F. 39 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: SW SW SW shifting to S
Wind Speed: 20 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 60 mph increasing to 70 mph in the afternoon. 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 85 mph, 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 80 mph, shifting and increasing to 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 100 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: Up to 1 0 to trace 0 to trace
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