THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 16, 2020 @ 6:57 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 15, 2020 @ 6:57 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 wind protected 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 decent snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with below freezing air temperatures at the mid and upper elevations. Some overnight cloud cover may have contributed to a weaker refreeze below about 7,000' to 7,500' where overnight air temperatures remained above freezing. Cloud cover is a bit of a wild card today and may reduce snow surface melt on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Increasing SW winds will also slow snow surface melt today on wind exposed slopes. Where cloud cover remains thin, wind protected slopes in direct sun will likely soften during the late morning to midday hours. Some small areas of loose wet instabilities could form this afternoon with wind protected slopes in direct sun exposure being the most suspect.

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.

* No reports of new loose wet avalanches have been received this week.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

SW ridgetop winds are starting to increase this morning ahead of an approaching cold front that will move through the region tomorrow morning. Air temperatures are forecast to warm above freezing again today with some increase in cloud cover as the day progresses. Ridgetop winds are forecast to reach gale force tonight into tomorrow morning. There is a slight chance for a dusting of new snow tomorrow morning. The amount of warming that occurs tomorrow afternoon will be dependent on how quickly cloud cover decreases.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 28 to 31 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 35 to 44 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 21 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 43 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.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Temperatures: 44 to 50. deg. F. 29 to 34. deg. F. 42 to 48. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest around 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 35 mph in the afternoon. Southwest around 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph increasing to 50 mph after midnight. Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. 100% chance of 0 to 1 inch | SWE = 0 to 0.1 inch.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Temperatures: 39 to 45. deg. F. 26 to 31. deg. F. 37 to 43. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Southwest 15 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph increasing to 60 to 90 mph after midnight. Southwest 30 to 45 mph with gusts 65 to 90 mph.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. 100% chance of 0 to 1 inch | SWE = 0 to 0.1 inch.
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