THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 11, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 10, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Cool winds and increasing cloud cover from the south should keep significant avalanche activity unlikely today. Some small wet snow instabilities are not impossible on isolated terrain features sheltered from the wind where cloud cover does not block the sun. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

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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: Loose Wet
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Despite warmer temperatures and some sunshine, forecasted cloud cover and ENE winds should provide enough cooling to limit the wet snow instabilities that form today. The forecast calls for more significant cloud cover south of HWY 50 making wet snow even less of an issue in the southern part of the forecast area. Still, some small roller balls near rocks or human triggered pinwheels may occur on steep sunny slopes protected from the NE winds. A small sluff of loose wet snow is also not impossible on an isolated terrain feature especially in the northern part of the forecast area.

Continue to travel with normal caution in the backcountry and watch for changing snow conditions as the day warms up. Going early or going to more shaded colder aspects can lead to finding softer colder snow and avoiding wet sticky snow. These safety margins based on timing and aspect can also help limit potential exposure to an isolated and unlikely but not impossible loose wet avalanche.

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* Variable conditions existed on Silver Peak and Stevens Peak yesterday with soft cold snow lingering on shady northerly aspects and warmer sticky snow on more sun-exposed southerly aspects. In some areas, the recent snow rested on firm supportable crusts, in other areas it sat on softer snow, and in other places wind-scoured surfaces existed. 

* Yesterday soft slabs of wind drifted snow up to 6 inches deep existed on leeward slopes near ridgelines on Silver Peak. Snowpit tests and ski cuts did not reveal any signs of wind slab instability. No signs of wind slab instability were reported on Stevens Peak either.

* Cloud cover and winds yesterday seemed to limit the amount of warming on Stevens Peak and Silver Peak yesterday.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A storm system moving through southern California should push some increased clouds and ENE winds into our forecast area today and tonight. A few areas south of HWY 50 may even see some light snow (above 7500 ft.) or rain (below 7500 ft.) tonight or tomorrow. The weather should clear up starting tomorrow as a high pressure builds over the region.

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 29 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 33 to 42 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW shifting to ENE after 8 pm last night
Average ridgetop wind speed: SW: 10 to 20 mph | ENE: 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 45 mph
New snowfall: trace to 0 inches
Total snow depth: 37 to 50 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 5%. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of snow. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of snow. Chance of rain in the afternoon. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 25%.
Temperatures: 43 to 49 deg. F. 27 to 32 deg. F. 45 to 51 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light becoming east 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon. East up to 10 mph. Light winds.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation...except 10% probability of up to 1 inch south of Highway 50. | SWE = none to a trace. No accumulation. | SWE = trace amounts.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 5%. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of snow. Snow levels 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels 7500 feet. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Temperatures: 37 to 43 deg. F. 23 to 28 deg. F. 39 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: East 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. East 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Northeast around 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation...except 10% probability of up to 1 inch south of Highway 50. | SWE = none to a trace. No accumulation. | SWE = trace amounts.
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