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.

This advisory was posted on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 6:41 am

Snowfall during the day yesterday brought 2-5" of new snow to the forecast area before snowfall activity tapered off overnight. Snowfall intensity has increase again this morning and will bring another bit of accumulation before tapering off to snow shower activity this afternoon. Ridgetop winds have been strong enough to move snow and create wind loading in lee areas. Wind speed is on the rise this morning and moderate ridgetop winds are expected to continue during the day today.

The existing snowpack is very shallow with a little over a foot of old snow found on north aspects above 9,000'. Most areas of snow on north aspects above 9,000' are a mix of crust and weak faceted snow layers. These layers exist under a hard surface crust that is now covered by 3-7" of new snow. The new snow is relatively cold and poorly bonded to the old snow surface in many areas. Slopes that were void of snow or were covered only in small, broken patches of snow will have better snowpack stability today due to the very shallow snow cover and abundant anchoring available from rocks and down trees. Areas of greatest snowpack instability are expected above 8,500' on northerly aspects where new snow has been wind loaded onto hard, crusted, old snow surfaces.

Avalanche danger is MODERATE on NW-N-NE aspects above 8,500' and steeper than 34 degrees where new snow has been deposited onto a hard crust surface layer. In other areas where new snow has been deposited onto dirt, avalanche danger is LOW. Most avalanches that occur will likely be small. However, the potential for burial in a terrain trap or to be swept over rocks, cliffs, and/or into trees exists.

The snowpack is very shallow in all areas. The potential to hit objects such as rocks, stumps, and down trees is high. Travel cautiously and at low speeds. The is a terrible time of year to get hurt.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

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Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 20 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 22 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: westsouthwesterly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 38 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 76 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 3-6 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 6 inches

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Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Cloudy skies with snow
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 20-23 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: 32-42 mph, G 75 mph
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 5-8 inches

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2 Day Weather Forecast:
For today, cloudy skies with heavy snowfall in the morning, tapering off by mid day. Mountain valley highs 31 to 41 degrees F. Overnight lows 5 to 15 degrees F. Moderate westsouthwesterly ridgetop winds are expected throughout the day today. Scattered snow showers will linger overnight. Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with continued isolated snow showers. Mountain valley highs 24 to 34 degrees F. Overnight lows -1 to 9 degrees F. Moderate westsouthwesterly ridgetop winds are expected to shift to moderate northeasterly late Tuesday.

The bottom line:

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

Weather Observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft and 8800 ft:

0600 temperature:	deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast - Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.