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 January 16, 2008 6:43 AM
Click here for a detailed map of the SAC forecast area

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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. Ridgetop winds have shifted to the east during the past 24 hours. A bank of clouds has pushed up against the east side of the Sierra Crest this morning. Cloud cover is expected to dissipate as the day progresses.

Air temperatures yesterday once again warmed enough to melt surface snow in most sun exposed areas at all elevations. Shaded and steep northerly aspects have been able to escape the melting of surface snow that has occurred over the past few days. Snowpack observations from areas near Donner Summit, Homewood, Echo Summit, Kirkwood, and Mount Rose all indicate a stable snowpack, even during the warm afternoon hours of the past few days. With strong easterly flow aloft, air temperatures will remain colder today. Surface melt-freeze snow at all but the lowest elevations is expected to remain a frozen crust today. The few areas that have not experienced surface snow melt-freeze show strong layer bonding and a stable snowpack.

Widespread melt-freeze snow surface conditions exist in most areas. Above 9,000', enjoyable unconsolidated snow surface conditions exist on select N-NW aspects, especially in wind protected areas. Wind scoured surfaces are found on many high elevation NE-E aspects at this time.

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): 12 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 37 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: West shifting to east
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 20 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 50 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 55 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Mostly to partly cloudy skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 27 to 30 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: East at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph, increasing to gusts to 70 mph in the afternoon.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, mostly to partly cloudy skies with daytime highs around 30 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gusts to 40 mph all day.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows 14 to 20 deg. F. East winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.

For Thursday, sunny skies with daytime highs around 36 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 15 mph with gust to 35 mph.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, mostly to partly cloudy skies with daytime highs around 29 deg. F. Northeast winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph, increasing to gusts to 70 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows 16 to 22 deg. F. East winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 70 mph, decreasing to 45 mph after midnight.

For Thursday, sunny skies with daytime highs around 35 deg. F. Northeast winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 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:
	Wednesday:	Wednesday Night:	Thursday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Wednesday:	Wednesday Night:	Thursday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.