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 Sunday, March 4th, 2007 at 6:39 am

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some very small slabs exist in wind loaded areas on N-NE-E aspects above treeline. These slabs are not expected to present a hazard to backcountry travelers today.

High pressure is moving off to the east of the forecast area. This will allow some cloud cover to return to the forecast area as a weak weather system approaches our area. Ridgetop winds have shifted to southwesterly overnight and are expected to continue through Tuesday. Warm air temperatures will continue for the next few days as subtropical moisture passes mainly to the north of the forecast area. Some isolated snow showers are possible starting tonight and continuing through Monday.

The storm snow from last week has settled and stabilized well. An additional 3 inches of settlement was observed in the past 24 hours at 8,200'. A total of 10 inches of settlement has been observed since Thursday morning.

Warm air temperatures have created areas of melt-freeze surface crust on the majority of aspects below 7,500'. However, the surface snow has remained cold and unconsolidated on northerly aspects, even below 7,000' in some areas. Over the past two days, moderate easterly ridgetop winds caused wind loading above treeline on SW-W-NW aspects. This created new wind slabs on SW-W-NW aspects and scoured avalanche start zones on N-NE-E aspects above treeline.

Ridgetop winds shifted to southwesterly overnight and will move some of the snow that was recently transported onto SW-W-NW aspects back onto N-NE-E aspects today. Lower wind speeds are expected than what was observed over the past two days, decreasing the amount of new wind loading on N-NE-E aspects. Some very small and shallow slabs will form today in wind loaded areas above treeline, but they are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers due to their very small size.

Significant human triggered avalanches are unlikely today. Any avalanche activity is expected to be very small. Natural avalanches are also unlikely.

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some very small slabs exist in wind loaded areas on N-NE-E aspects. These slabs are not expected to present a hazard to backcountry travelers today.

At this time, we are still short $4,000 in funding for our operating budget this winter. If you use this service with any regularity and would like to continue to do so, please show your financial support for the Sierra Avalanche Center. You may make a tax deductible donation directly to us via Paypal or by sending a check to our address listed above, c/o the Truckee Ranger Station. A graph showing the amount of fundraising completed this season and our overall budget is available by clicking here. The financial support already received this winter from a variety of users is greatly appreciated.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

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Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 27 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 33 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Easterly shifting to westsouthwesterly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 30 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 61 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 99 inches

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Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Partly cloudy skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 34 to 40 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Southwesterly 10-20 mph, gusting to 30 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0-1 inches

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2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:
7000 to 8000 Feet
Today, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs around 44 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Overnight lows around 24 degrees F. South winds at 10 to 15 mph. Monday, mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Daytime highs 40 to 46 degrees F. South winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph are expected.

Above 8000 Feet
Today, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs 34 to 40 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Tonight, mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Overnight lows around 25 degrees F. South winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph after midnight. Monday, mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Daytime highs 32 to 38 degrees F. South winds at 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph are expected.

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