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 day of transitioning weather is forecast for today. Some sun and clouds this morning will give way to increasing cloud cover and light precipitation as the day progresses. Snow levels are expected to begin around 8,000' before quickly dropping to around 6,000' by this afternoon or evening. Up to 1 inch of new snowfall is expected during the day. Air temperatures this morning are ranging from 26 to 37 degrees with no air temperature inversion. Maximum daytime air temperatures are expected to occur this morning with cooling through the afternoon hours. Ridgetop winds this morning are moderate in speed out of the southwest and are expected to increase to strong in speed as the day progresses. Snow levels are expected to fall to near 2,000' overnight into Sunday. High intensity snowfall rates and 1 to 3 feet of new snow accumulation are expected between 11pm tonight and 11am Sunday.

Yesterday, observations made on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed warm air temperatures at the upper elevations with help from an air temperature inversion. Significant wet snow and large skier triggered pinwheels occurred on E and SE aspects below 9,000' by 11 am. The snow surface was slower to melt on S and SW aspects making it possible to change aspects with warming to maintain good supportable corn skiing and minimize the possibility of human triggered wet snow avalanches. No new avalanche activity was reported from within the forecast area.

Last night, below freezing air temperatures at the upper elevations and periods of clear skies will have allowed for snowpack refreeze. Due to warmer air on the valley floors, only a fairly thin refreeze may have occurred at the lower elevations. Today, some melting of surface snow is expected to occur, especially during the morning hours below 8,500'. Significantly less overall melting and free water formation is expected today as compared to what was observed over the past 3 days. This afternoon, cooling air temperatures and snow showers are expected to slow melting rates significantly, keeping any wet snow instability to a minimum.

Tonight, high intensity snowfall with snowfall rates around 3 inches/hour and accumulations of 1 to 3 feet are expected. This will rapidly increase snowpack instability. Natural and human triggered avalanche activity will be possible during the overnight hours.

The bottom line:

For today, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised. Avalanche danger is expected to increase significantly overnight with 1 to 3 feet of new snow and natural avalanche activity possible.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	28 to 30 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	41 to 46 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Southwest
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	20 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	33 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	141 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers, increasing in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies with high intensity snowfall.	Cloudy skies with snow in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with a chance of snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	Cooling in the afternoon with a high in the morning of 35 to 45 deg. F.	15 to 23 deg. F.	20 to 29 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	W	NW
Wind speed:	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Increasing to 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon.	25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall:	Up to 1 in.	Up to 20 in. near the Sierra Crest, elsewhere 6 to 14 in.	6 to 10 in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers, increasing in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies with high intensity snowfall.	Cloudy skies with snow in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with a chance of snow in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	Cooling in the afternoon with a high in the morning of 28 to 38 deg. F.	8 to 18 deg. F.	10 to 20 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	SW shifting to W	NW
Wind speed:	30 to 40 mph with gusts to 75 mph. Increasing to 40 to 60 mph with gusts to 90 mph in the afternoon.	40 to 60 mph with gusts to 95 mph. Decreasing to 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 80 mph after midnight.	20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
Expected snowfall:	Up to 1 in.	Up to 20 in. near the Sierra Crest, elsewhere 6 to 14 in.	6 to 10 in.