THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON December 5, 2020 @ 6:48 am
Avalanche Forecast published on December 4, 2020 @ 6:48 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Exposed and barely covered obstacles abound in the backcountry due to the shallow early season snow conditions. These obstacles combined with the variable snow surfaces can lead to "interesting" (an optimistic word for challenging) backcountry travel conditions. Travel using normal caution. The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. 

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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The shallow snowpack has left many trees, stumps, rocks, logs, etc exposed or barely covered. As the snowpack shrinks, more of these "land mines" pop up every day. Even though the snowpack remains supportable in most places, variable snow surfaces across the region make over-the-snow travel more difficult right now. Moving at slower speeds on more mellow terrain and being observant can make avoiding obstacles easier and snow travel more fun. This strategy can also help dust the cobwebs off snow travel skills that went unused during the summer. 

Avalanche activity will remain unlikely today. 

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A mostly supportable snowpack 1-2 ft. deep exists on northerly aspects above 8600 ft. in the Mt. Rose area, above 7000 ft. along the northern Sierra Crest, and above 8000 ft. along the southern Sierra Crest. The snow surface varies widely. On slopes exposed to the winds, uneven scoured and wind packed surfaces exist. Moving into more sheltered areas these firm surfaces give way to breakable crusts. On the most sheltered northerly facing slopes, some areas of soft surface snow still linger (near-surface facets). Clear cool nights will allow these facets to continue to develop and the facet layer may become weaker and more widespread during this dry spell. Problematic weak layers have grown during dry spells in the past and only time will tell if the facets growing now will become a problem layer in the future. More sun-exposed easterly aspects hold frozen crusts in the morning and soft wet sticky snow if the crusts melt during daytime warming. Significant snow-melt has occurred on the southerly aspects leaving exposed ground on many of these slopes.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A few clouds overnight helped keep lower elevations a bit warmer. Still, the lower elevation valleys report lower temperatures than the upper elevation ridges this morning. As the day warms up, this inversion should lift. The high pressure over the region will bring more sunny days and clear nights to the forecast area 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 36 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 43 to 50 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Variable
Average ridgetop wind speed: 5 to 10 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 26 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 14 to 18 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Mostly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 40 to 45 deg. F. 23 to 29 deg. F. 42 to 47 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds. Light winds. Light winds.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Mostly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sunny. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 37 to 43 deg. F. 22 to 28 deg. F. 38 to 44 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Light winds. Light winds. Light winds becoming southwest around 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
Disclaimer

This avalanche forecast is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This forecast 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 forecast applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This forecast expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this forecast is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

For a recorded version of the avalanche forecast call (530) 587-3558 x258