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, March 6th, 2007 at 7:00 am

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some "rollerball" and "pinwheel" activity may occur today on steep solar exposed aspects. Normal caution is advised for traveling in the backcountry.

The weak disturbance that caused some cloud cover to form over the region yesterday should move to the east of the forecast area today. There is a small high pressure system following it that should bring clear skies and even warmer temperatures. Another weak system is projected to move across the forecast area tomorrow. There is very little moisture associated with this storm and the biggest changes that result from it will probably be increased southwest winds and some cloud cover. After that the current trend is to continue the warm dry period through the weekend.

Tests aimed at determining how well the layers in the snowpack are bonded to each other as well as overall observations indicate that the snowpack is gaining strength over time. As the temperatures stay mild and the winds light, the snowpack should continue to settle and consolidate. Windslabs that formed due to the east winds are rapidly bonding to the snowpack beneath them and light winds are resulting in very little new windloading.

The warm daytime temperatures and below freezing overnight temperatures should keep fueling melt-freeze crust formation 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. The warm temperatures and the more intense spring sun will probably cause some "rollerball" and "pinwheel" activity on steep W-SW-S-SE slopes today. On most aspects the snow should be pretty wet and heavy by this afternoon. The exception will be the upper elevation north-facing, tree-covered slopes. They still held plenty of nice, unconsolidated snow late into the day yesterday.

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 occur today on steep solar exposed aspects. Normal caution is advised for traveling in the backcountry.

At this time, we are still short $3,000 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):
29 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:
94 inches
Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Mostly sunny skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet:
41 to 47 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest:
Southwesterly 10-20 mph, gusting to 35 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours:
0 inches
2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet
Today, mostly sunny skies with daytime highs 47 to 55 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy with overnight lows 25 to 31 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph after midnight. Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Daytime highs 42 to 48 degrees F. Southwest winds at 20 to 30 mph.

Above 8000 Feet
Today, mostly sunny skies with daytime highs 41 to 47 degrees F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy with overnight lows around 28 degrees F. Southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph after midnight. Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Daytime highs 36 to 42 degrees F. Southwest winds at 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

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.