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.

Early winter snowfall has coated the Sierra with a snowpack generally 2 to 18 inches deep. No significant storm systems are expected over the next week. A few periods of snow showers are possible over Veteran's Day weekend before high pressure builds back in over the forecast area. Sunny skies with low level air temperature inversions and warmer air temperatures at the mid and upper elevations can be expected as the main weather pattern for the week of November 14th. The next opportunity for any type of significant storm event will not occur until sometime around November 18 to 24th.

The snow that accumulated during the early part of November fell on bare ground in the majority of areas. In some spots this snow fell on patches of old snow either held over from last winter or the remnants of the October 4-6 storm event.  These areas of old snow generally exist above 8,000' on N to NE aspects that traditionally receive large amounts of wind loading. A handful of observations made over the past week in the Mount Rose, West Shore Tahoe, and Echo Summit areas (more info) revealed that the old snow on the ground prior to the November 3 and November 6 storm events is high density ice. Coverage of the ice layer is sufficient to create pockets of efficient bed surface that does not exist in the surrounding areas that have the anchoring effect of dirt, rocks, and logs under the recent new snow. A small amount of faceting has occurred at the interface of the basal ice layer and November snow, but it has not shown weak layer characteristics in the handful of observations made this past week.

Minimal opportunities exist at this time for any over snow travel. The best bet would be mellow touring on the snow covered forest roads that are near the Sierra Crest and above 7,000'. Even then plan on hitting a few rocks during your outing. Areas directly below ridgelines as well as gully features that receive wind loading may hold pockets of slab formation on top of basal ice despite only a few inches of snow on the ground in nearby wind protected areas. Make constant observations as you travel, looking for indications of current or recent snowpack instability. This includes recent avalanche activity, wind loading, collapse, audible whumpfing sounds, shooting cracks, and/or test slope failure.

Each person should travel with avalanche rescue equipment including a transceiver, probe, and shovel with which they are well practiced. Allow only one person at a time to travel on slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees. Many hazards such as rocks, down trees, and stumps are often hidden just beneath the snow surface. Travel cautiously and slowly as it is a very long winter after getting hurt before the season really gets started. Often the best way to satiate early season excitement is to put fresh batteries in avalanche transceivers and practice rescue skills. Check out the avalanche tutorials specifically designed for skiers and for snowmobilers at the Forest Service National Avalanche Center web site.

Current remote weather station data from the NWS can be found by clicking here. A general weather forecast for the area can be found by clicking here.

The bottom line:

Early Season Conditions Update #2

Daily avalanche advisories are planned to resume in mid November or later as conditions dictate. Occasional intermittent early season updates to this page will occur earlier as conditions warrant.

Brandon Schwartz - 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:
	Thursday:	Thursday Night:	Friday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Thursday:	Thursday Night:	Friday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.