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 Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 6:45 am

Weather conditions are beginning to settle this morning as the current weather system moves out of our area. Cold temperatures at mountain top level will continue to produce some additional light snow at times during the day today. Ridgetop winds remain moderate westsouthwesterly this morning and are expected to continue throughout the day before shifting to north and northeasterly this evening. Air temperatures are expected to remain cold.

Storm totals are running 16-19" along the Sierra Crest in the northern portion of the forecast area and taper down to around 7" in the southern portion of the forecast area. Storm total in the Mount Rose area is around 10". Anywhere from 2-6" of settlement have been observed overnight. We have recieved no reports of natural or human triggered avalanche activity occuring yesterday. Moderate westsouthwesterly ridgetop winds over the past two days have scoured the windward side of ridges. Little to no snow remains available for wind transport, despite continued moderate winds over the ridges. The very shallow snowpack remains well anchored in areas where the recent storm snow fell on bare ground. On northerly aspects above 8,500' where the recent storm snow sits on a very hard old snow surface, cold air temperatures will slow bonding at the old snow/storm snow interface, compared to what is often observed in our area. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely today but are not impossible above 8,500' on recently wind loaded northerly aspects, steeper than 34 degrees where poor bonding exists at the old snow/storm snow interface. Exercise normal caution if traveling in avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche danger is LOW today at all elevations on all aspects.

The snowpack is very shallow in all areas. If you are traveling on skis or a snowmobile, you will hit rocks, stumps, and/or down trees. Plan on it. Travel cautiously and at low speeds. This 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): 10 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 20 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: 79 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 16-19 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 16 inches

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Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Partly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 14-19 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: westsouthwesterly 25-35 mph, G 60 mph
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0-2 inches

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2 Day Weather Forecast:
For today, partly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers. Mountain valley highs 24 to 34 degrees F. Overnight lows -1 to 9 degrees F. Moderate westsouthwesterly ridgetop winds are expected to continue during the day today. Ridgetop winds are expected to shift to moderate north to northeasterly this evening. Wednesday will be mostly sunny with mountain valley highs 23 to 33 degrees F. Moderate northeasterly ridgetop winds are expected on Wednesday.

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