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, April 2nd, 2007 at 6:58 am

The bottom line: This morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Isolated pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW aspects 35 degrees and steeper as daytime warming occurs.

Cloud cover cleared out of the forecast area overnight. Westerly winds have mixed out the air temperature inversion that was observed yesterday morning. Ridgetop winds have remained westerly and will continue through the day today. Air temperatures will reach daytime highs slightly warmer than what was observed yesterday. A splitting weather system is expected to bring increase cloud cover to the forecast area on Wednesday.

Air temperatures at the upper elevations dropped below freezing last night for several hours. A solid snowpack refreeze at the upper elevations and good radiational cooling at the lower elevations under clear skies, have created a strong and stable snowpack this morning. As day time warming occurs, free water formation in the snowpack will create isolated pockets of wet snow instability.

With the exception of isolated pockets on north aspects around 10,000' in elevation, all areas of the snowpack have entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Snow surface conditions vary widely from rough and bumpy to smooth and enjoyable. In many areas above 9,000', snow from the last storm has not yet finished making the transition from new snow to high quality corn snow. A few more melt-freeze cycles are needed to finish the transformation. Below 9,000', excellent corn snow conditions can be found mid morning in many areas.

Any avalanche activity is unlikely this morning. Isolated human triggered avalanches will become possible on steep, sun exposed aspects as daytime warming occurs. Expect isolated pockets of wet snow instability on E-SE-S-SW aspects 35 degrees and steeper at all elevations.

The bottom line: This morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Isolated pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW aspects 35 degrees and steeper as daytime warming occurs.

The Heavenly Ski Patrol has been generous enough to include the Sierra Avalanche Center as one of the benefactors of their annual fundraising party this year. The party is this Friday, April 6th at the Horizon Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe from 7pm to midnight. Tickets are $10 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go to the SAC operating budget for next season. For more information please click here. We will also raffle off a BCA backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe package on April 17th as a way to say thanks to everyone who has sent us a donation in the mail or via Pay Pal this season. All individuals who have donated $10 or more to SAC are automatically entered in this raffle. Thanks to all of our sponsors, the ski days, and everyone who has donated funding this winter, we have met our operating budget for this season and have a start on next year's funding. For more details about our financial situation please click here.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 28 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 43 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Westerly
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 35 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 73 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 62 inches

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Sunny skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 41 to 49 degrees F.
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Westerly at 15 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:
7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 50 to 56 degrees F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows 28 to 36 degrees F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tuesday, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs around 56 degrees F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph are expected.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 41 to 49 degrees F. West winds at 15 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows around 33 degrees F. Southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph. Tuesday, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs 46 to 52 degrees F. West 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:
	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.