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.

A weather pattern change is in progress. Precipitation is expected to move into the forecast area beginning tomorrow. This morning, 6 am air temperatures across the northern half of the forecast area are a few degrees warmer than the past few mornings due to high clouds limiting radational cooling overnight. An air temperature inversion is in place once again with the coldest air below around 7,000'. Ridgetop winds have shifted from east to southwest overnight. Light winds this morning are expected to become moderate in speed as the day progresses.

Continued observations from around the forecast area all indicate a stable snowpack at this time. Basal snowpack layers are continuing to show gains in strength. The mid snowpack is quiet strong. The upper snowpack also shows good stability. Along the Sierra Crest, continued strength gains have been observed around the January 2nd rain crust. In the Mount Rose area, much more modest strength gains have been observed around crust layers within the top 1 foot of the snowpack.

At the snow surface, a variable mix of conditions are found by aspect, elevation, and location. Expect to find melt-freeze snow, supportable crust, breakable crust, and/or high density wind packed snow in most areas. A minority of areas have unconsolidated near surface faceted snow crystals, sometimes underneath a very thin breakable crust.

Today, any type of avalanche activity is unlikely. Melting of surface snow is expected in areas that receive direct sun. Surface melting will be increasingly limited to southerly aspects as elevation increases. Later today, areas of wet surface snow will refreeze slower in areas where cloud cover increases this afternoon and into the evening hours.

The bottom line:

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

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

Weather Observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft and 8800 ft:

0600 temperature:	36 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	42 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East shifting to southwest.
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	16 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	29 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	58 inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast - Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Partly cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies with a slight chance of rain in the morning. Then a chance of rain and snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	39 to 46 deg. F.	27 to 33 deg. F.	37 to 44 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	Variable, becoming S after midnight.	S
Wind speed:	Light winds.	Up to 10 mph.	Around 10 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	0 to 1 in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Partly cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow in the morning. Then a chance of snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	38 to 44 deg. F.	23 to 30 deg. F.	34 to 41 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	S	S
Wind speed:	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	Trace to 2 in.