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, March 5th, 2007 at 7:00 am

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some "rollerball" and "pinwheel" activity may continue on steep solar exposed slopes today.

There is a chance for some isolated snow showers this morning as a small weather disturbance moves through the forecast area. Even though there is very little chance for any significant accumulation out of this system, skies should remain partly to mostly cloudy through tomorrow. Clear, mild weather is expected to follow this disturbance. Temperatures should continue to stay warm for the next few days. Winds have shifted back to the southwest and are forecasted to remain light to moderate through tomorrow.

Again, an additional 3 inches of settlement was observed in the past 24 hours at 8,200'. Bonding tests on the snowpack also show a strengthening trend as the recent snow becomes more homogeneous. Melt-freeze crusts continued to form on most aspects below 8000'. On the southerly aspects these crusts have migrated up into the 9000' elevation range. As the temperatures stay warm these melt freeze crusts should become thicker and more widespread. Some "rollerball" and "pinwheel" activity was reported yesterday and may continue on steep solar exposed slopes today. There are still some pockets of nice, unconsolidated snow on north-facing, tree-covered slopes that were sheltered from the east winds.

The southwesterly winds should only be able to transport small amounts of snow today due to the increased consolidation of the upper snowpack, the current melt-freeze crust on the surface of many of the S-W aspects, and the fact that the wind speeds are only forecasted to be in the 15-25mph range. The windslabs leftover from the easterly winds on the S-SW-NW aspects are rapidly bonding to the existing snowpack. They are also shrinking due to some scouring by the southwest winds. The windslabs that may form due to the southwest winds on the N-NE-E aspects should remain small, isolated, and shallow. These windslabs are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers due to their very small size and isolated nature.

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 "rollerball" and "pinwheel" activity may continue on steep solar exposed slopes 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.

Andy Anderson , Avalanche Forecaster
Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet):
31 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours:
42 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours:
Southwesterly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours:
15-20 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours:
35 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours:
0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet:
96 inches
Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Partly cloudy skies with some isolated snow showers in the morning.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet:
33 to 39 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest:
Southwesterly 15-25 mph, gusting to 30 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours:
Trace
2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet
Today, partly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the morning. Daytime highs 42 to 48 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy with overnight lows 23 to 29 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tuesday, mostly cloudy with daytime highs 48 to 54 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph are expected.

Above 8000 Feet
Today, partly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the morning. Daytime highs 33 to 39 degrees F. Southwest winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy with overnight lows around 24 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph. Tuesday, mostly cloudy with daytime highs around 44 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 50 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:
	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.