THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 15, 2020 @ 6:42 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 14, 2020 @ 6:42 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Snow surface melt could allow for small areas of loose wet instabilities to form during the afternoon hours on slopes with direct sun exposure. Areas of very firm snow surfaces exist with a potential sliding fall hazard. LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

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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 strong snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with mostly clear skies and below freezing air temperatures. Snow surface melt today on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects will either be similar to or less than what has occurred over the past two days. High level cloud cover of variable thickness today may slow the rate of snow surface melt in some areas. It is possible that minimal snow surface melt may occur today in areas with the thickest, most persistent cloud cover and exposure to SW winds. On the other hand, slopes with less cloud cover and more wind protection could have some small areas of loose wet instabilities form this afternoon.

There are lots of areas with firm snow surfaces out there and sliding falls remain a concern. Plan accordingly in terms of terrain, route selection, group ability, and equipment.

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* Diurnal melt-freeze conditions continue on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.

* Highly variable snow surface conditions exist on NW-N-NE aspects. Mostly firm conditions exist near and above treeline. A mix of breakable crust and pockets of softer surface snow exist in NE wind protected areas below treeline.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Moderate speed SW ridgetop winds have mixed out any air temperature inversion and brought below freezing temperatures to nearly all areas overnight. High level cloud cover is forecast to range in thickness today creating periods of sunny skies to mostly cloudy skies. Cloud cover thickness is expected to vary throughout the day and vary by location within the forecast area. Maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast to climb above freezing again today with ranges similar to the past two days. Additional warming is forecast for Saturday along with some continued cloud cover and increasing SW winds. Ridgetop winds are forecast to reach gale force late Saturday into Sunday morning with gusts to 100 mph possible ahead of the passage of a dry cold front on Sunday.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 23 to 32 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 36 to 43 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 24 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 47 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 40 to 50 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Ranging from sunny to mostly cloudy. High level cloud cover of variable thickness throughout the day. Chance of precipitation is 5%. Clear. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 42 to 47. deg. F. 23 to 28. deg. F. 45 to 51. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning. Light winds. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening. West around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 35 mph in the afternoon.
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: Ranging from sunny to mostly cloudy. High level cloud cover of variable thickness throughout the day. Chance of precipitation is 5%. Clear. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 37 to 43. deg. F. 21 to 26. deg. F. 40 to 46. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph in the morning. West around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 35 mph after midnight. West 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph.
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