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 Friday, March 9th, 2007 at 6:30 am

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for most areas. Very isolated pockets of MODERATE danger will develop today below 8,500' on E-SE-S-SW aspects, 35 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming. Very isolated human triggered wet snow avalanches are possible. Normal caution is advised while traveling in the backcountry.

A weather system that is passing to the north of our area is creating some increased cloud cover over the northern half of the forecast area this morning. Fewer clouds with plenty of sunshine is expected in the southern half of the forecast area today. Ridgetop winds have remained westerly for the past few days. Ridgetop wind speeds are expected to increase during the day today. Daytime air temperatures are expected to continue to warm through the weekend.

Widespread melt-freeze snow surface conditions exist throughout the forecast area. On southerly aspects, these conditions extend above 9000'. On northerly aspects above 8,500', some pockets of well settled, unconsolidated snow linger in areas protected from wind and sun. Cloud cover last night allowed only a short period of below freezing temperatures. The snow surface in sun exposed areas on E-SE-S-SW aspects will soften rapidly today.

The snowpack is in a transition state from winter to spring. Even on south aspects, the snowpack has not become isothermal. Cold winter snow exists below the top melt-freeze layer. Warm air temperatures and spring solar radiation are causing the surface snow to melt quickly each morning, rapidly allowing deep ski and boot penetration, as well as significant human triggered roller ball and pinwheel activity. Most E-SE aspects in the 7,000-8,500' range are at their prime condition for riding around 9am.

Warm daytime air temperatures over the past several days have produced roller balls and large human triggered pinwheels on the majority of aspects, especially below 8,500'. No human triggered or natural wet snow avalanches have been reported, despite these signs of surface instability. As air temperatures continue to warm over the next few days, the possibility of human triggered avalanche activity will increase.

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for most areas. Very isolated pockets of MODERATE danger will develop today below 8,500' on E-SE-S-SW aspects, 35 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming. Very isolated human triggered wet snow avalanches are possible. Normal caution is advised while 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.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

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Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 30 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 42 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Westerly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 24 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 40 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 89 inches

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Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 38 to 46 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Westsouthwesterly 15-25 mph, G 50 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

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2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:
7000 to 8000 Feet
Today, sunny to partly cloudy with daytime highs 46 to 52 degrees F. Southwest winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Tonight, clear to partly cloudy with overnight lows 29 to 35 degrees F. West winds at 20 to 30 mph. Saturday, sunny to partly cloudy with daytime highs 49 to 55 degrees F. Northwest winds at 15 to 20 mph are expected.

Above 8000 Feet
Today, sunny to partly cloudy with daytime highs 38 to 46 degrees F. Southwest winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Tonight, clear to partly cloudy with overnight lows around 34 degrees F. West winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the evening. Saturday, sunny to partly cloudy with daytime highs 42 to 50 degrees F. Northwest winds at 15 to 20 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:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.