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 December 27, 2007 6:22 AM
Click here for a detailed map of the SAC forecast area

low avalanche danger
Today's Advisory:

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised.

Cold air is in place over the forecast area this morning. Temperatures at the 8,000' level are hovering around 1 deg. F. A stream of moisture will move off of the ocean and into the forecast area today. Increasing cloud cover throughout the day with late afternoon and overnight snowfall is expected. New snowfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches are possible over the next 24 hours. Ridgetop winds shifted from west to east yesterday afternoon. Winds are expected to flip flop back to west this afternoon ahead of the approaching weather system.

A stable snowpack exists throughout the forecast area at this time. Stability tests have shown that layer bond strength has continued to improve over the past several days. The lurking basal layer of faceted snow crystals has increased in bond strength to the layer above. No new avalanche activity has been reported since 12/22.

A mix of snow surface conditions exists on various aspects and at different elevations throughout the area. Below 7,000', melt-freeze crust conditions dominate all aspects. Above 7,000', sun crusts can be found on many aspects with south and west exposure. North and east aspects above treeline are wind scoured, while a nice surface of unconsolidated snow remains below treeline on north aspects.

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised.

Please send us your snow, weather, and avalanche observations by clicking the submit observations link on our contact page.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 1 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 15 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: West shifting to east
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 25 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 55 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: trace to 1 inch
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 31 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Increasingly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 13 to 23 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: East at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph, shifting to the west in the afternoon.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 2 to 6 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, increasingly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 23 to 29 deg. F. Southeast winds up to 10 mph, shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation 2 to 5 inches. Overnight lows 17 to 22 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

For Friday, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 23 to 30 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gust to 35 mph.

Above 8000 Feet:

Today, increasingly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 13 to 23 deg. F. East winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph, shifting to the west in the afternoon.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation 3 to 6 inches. Overnight lows 13 to 18 deg. F. West winds at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 65 mph.

For Friday, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 19 to 24 deg. F. West winds at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 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:
	Thursday:	Thursday Night:	Friday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Thursday:	Thursday Night:	Friday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.