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.

Another weak weather system is passing through the forecast area this morning. This splitting system has brought only light snowfall to the northern portion of the forecast area overnight, with more modest snowfall south of Hwy 50. New snow accumulations above 7,000' over the past 24 hours total 2 to 5 inches north of Hwy 50 and 3 to 8 inches south of Hwy 50. This has been the general trend for new snow accumulation over the past several days. An additional 2 to 4 inches of new snow is expected to accumulate during the morning hours. Air temperatures this morning are in the 20s in nearly all locations. Air temperatures are forecast to rise into the 30s at all elevations today. Ridgetop winds have remained moderate in speed out of the southwest for the past several days. Winds have shifted a bit to the south overnight and will continue through this morning before becoming light.

Yesterday, observations made on Silver Peak (North of Squaw Peak) indicated that snowpack instability was limited the most heavily wind loaded slopes in near and above treeline areas. This is mainly on N-NE-E aspects. New snow is well bonded to the melt-freeze crust below. Snowpack failure was observed to occur within the new snow in all stability tests both yesterday on Silver Peak and the day before on Luther Pass and Donner Summit. Below treeline, no evidence of slab formation, sluffing, or other signs of instability have been observed or reported over the past few days. Skier triggered avalanches occurred near and above treeline on Wednesday in the Donner Summit area (more detail). Avalanche control work at the Kirkwood Ski Area has consistently created avalanches within the new snow with crowns around 1 foot deep in wind loaded areas over the past two days. Since these avalanches have occurred within the new snow, there is a direct correlation to the backcountry snowpack in the surrounding area.

Today, human triggered avalanches remain possible in heavily wind loaded areas near and above treeline, mainly on steep N-NE-E aspects. Some additional areas of instability may exist on cross loaded NW and SE aspects near and above treeline. Areas south of Hwy 50 have received around twice the amount of new snow over the past several days as areas north of Hwy 50. Greater instability and larger human triggered avalanches are expected in areas to the south of Hwy 50 than to the north.

Sun breaks are expected to occur this afternoon, especially at the lower elevations. Areas of warming instability will likely occur below 8,500' on SE-S-SW aspects. Roller balls are expected as the extent of natural instability. Human triggered avalanches may occur where new snow has accumulated in wind protected or cross loaded areas once the snow surface begins to warm.

The bottom line:

Near and above treeline, areas of MODERATE avalanche danger exist on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects 37 degrees and steeper. Below treeline, avalanche danger is LOW. The areas of greatest avalanche danger will be found south of Hwy 50.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	21 to 23 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	28 to 31 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Southwest shifting to south.
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	28 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	57 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	2 to 8 inches
Total snow depth:	144 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Cloudy skies with periods of snow in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.	Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the evening. Isolated snow showers after midnight.	Sunny skies in the morning, becoming partly cloudy.
Temperatures:	31 to 38 deg. F.	23 to 29 deg. F.	39 to 46 deg. F.
Wind direction:	S	Variable	W
Wind speed:	Light winds.	Light winds.	10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	2 to 3 in.	0 to trace in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Cloudy skies with periods of snow in the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.	Mostly cloudy skies with scattered snow showers in the evening. Isolated snow showers after midnight.	Sunny skies in the morning, becoming partly cloudy.
Temperatures:	30 to 36 deg. F.	15 to 22 deg. F.	37 to 43 deg. F.
Wind direction:	S	Variable becoming NE.	W
Wind speed:	Up to 10 mph, becoming light.	Up to 10 mph after midnight.	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall:	2 to 4 in.	0 to trace in.	O in.