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.

High pressure is building over the forecast area this morning. Sunny skies and light winds are forecast for today. Yesterday's weather disturbance brought 2 to 3 inches of new snow to the northeastern portion of the forecast area. New snow amounts dropped off significantly in the western and southern portions of the portions of the area due to the track of the system. Air temperatures fell into the teens to single digits in nearly all locations last night under clear skies. Air temperatures are expected to rise into the 20s to low 30s today. Ridgetop winds shifted from SW to W yesterday afternoon and then to NE overnight. Wind speeds decreased to light overnight and remain light this morning.

Yesterday, observations made on Incline Lake Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed stable snow and minimal effects from wind. This was not at all consistent with the hurricane force winds and significant amounts of blowing snow that had been observed on Sunday in the Donner Summit area and in other portions of the Mount Rose area. Snow surface conditions are very dependent on aspect, with the highest quality snow found below treeline on N-NE aspects. Southerly aspects hold supportable or breakable crust at nearly all elevations.

Today, a stable snowpack will exist in most areas. However, isolated unstable slabs are expected to linger near and above treeline in recently wind loaded areas on N-NE-E aspects. These slabs may be difficult to trigger and will be found within areas that appear to have generally stable snowpack conditions. If triggered, an avalanche may be large enough to bury a person due to the size of the slab. Light NE ridgetop winds overnight are expected to have had only a minimal scouring effect on these slopes. Use good travel habits and conservative terrain choices to minimize risk.

The bottom line:

Near and above treeline avalanche danger is LOW with isolated pockets of MODERATE danger on N-NE-E aspects, 37 degrees and steeper. Below treeline, avalanche danger is LOW.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	12 to 18 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	16 to 20 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	SW shifting to NE
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	22 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	62 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	0 to 1 inches
Total snow depth:	150 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Sunny skies in the morning, becoming partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy skies.	Partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures:	27 to 34 deg. F.	7 to 14 deg. F.	29 to 36 deg. F.
Wind direction:	NE	NE shifting to SE	Variable
Wind speed:	Around 10 mph in the morning, becoming light.	Around 10 mph.	Light winds.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Sunny skies in the morning, becoming partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy skies.	Partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures:	22 to 29 deg. F.	7 to 14 deg. F.	28 to 34 deg. F.
Wind direction:	NE	NE shifting to SE	Variable
Wind speed:	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the morning.	Around 10 mph.	Light winds.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.