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 28, 2007 6:48 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.

Snow showers spread across the forecast area late yesterday afternoon. Most areas above 8,000' received 1 to 2 inches of new snow overnight. Snow showers are expected to continue today, once again intensifying in the mid to late afternoon. Ridgetop winds shifted from east to west around mid day yesterday and are expected to continue at moderate speed during the day today.

A stable snowpack exists throughout the forecast area at this time. Stability tests have shown that the lurking basal layer of faceted snow crystals has bonded well to the layer above. No new avalanche activity has been reported since 12/22. Any instability caused by new snow will be limited to tiny cornice formations and very small pillows that form in the most heavily wind loaded areas above treeline. These potentially unstable features are expected to be very small and not present a hazard to backcountry travelers.

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): 17 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 17 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: East shifting to west
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 34 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 67 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 1 to 2 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 30 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Cloudy skies with snow showers, especially in the afternoon.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 22 to 27 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: West at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 2 to 6 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, cloudy skies with snow showers, especially in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 26 to 31 deg. F. Southwest winds at 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Overnight lows 22 to 26 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gust to 35 mph after midnight.

For Saturday, cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 32 to 36 deg. F. West winds at 25 to 30 mph with gust to 45 mph.

Above 8000 Feet:

Today, cloudy skies with snow showers, especially in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Daytime highs 22 to 27 deg. F. West winds at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Overnight lows 20 to 25 deg. F. Southwest winds at 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph, increasing to 75 mph after midnight.

For Saturday, cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 28 to 33 deg. F. West winds at 40 to 55 mph with gusts to 85 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:
	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.