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 low pressure system passing north of the region has brought some moderate southwest winds, a few clouds, and cooler temperatures to the forecast area. This morning temperatures range from the upper 20's below 7000 ft to the mid and upper 30's above 8000 ft. The clouds and winds should diminish over the next 24 hours as the high pressure ridge returns to the area bringing back the clear sunny weather. Slightly cooler daytime highs in the low to mid 40's should linger around the region for today and tomorrow.

Recent Observations:

Yesterday observations on the Fireplug in the Mt. Rose area revealed that weak faceted snow does still exist near the base of the snowpack on the northerly aspects in this area. The strength, thickness, size, and shape of this layer vary greatly from one location to another even over short distances. In this area yesterday, some snowpit tests showed that once this persistent weak layer breaks fractures can still travel through it, while the same test performed next door indicated the opposite. A cohesive slab resides above this layer in many places. Recent  observations at higher elevations in the Mt. Rose backcountry have shown small isolated areas where more developed and weaker facets do remain. This layer appears weakest on some small isolated northerly slopes above 9500 ft. that received little to no traffic prior to the most recent snowfall.

On the west side of Lake Tahoe along the Sierra Crest, a shallow but mostly consolidated snowpack exists. In most areas along the Crest, recent observations have shown little to no snow below 7500 ft. Above 8000 ft. more snow coverage exists and the snowpack consists of a a mix of thick crusts and consolidated snow. Recent data from Round Top near Carson Pass did indicate some very isolated lingering instability on a northerly aspect above 9000 ft.

Today's Avalanche Concerns:

Even though LOW avalanche danger exists around the forecast area, it does not mean no danger remains. Some unstable snow may still linger on isolated terrain features especially in high elevation complex or extreme terrain. Small isolated areas where cohesive snow rests on top a persistent weak layer do remain in the in the Mt. Rose backcountry on NW-N-NE aspects above 9500 ft. Variability associated with the existence, location, strength, and coverage of both the persistent weak layer and the possible lingering instability along the Crest make good observations and safe travel techniques a prudent choice. Probing into the snowpack and digging quick snowpits can reveal whether or not these issues exist on a particular slope.

Also, the shallow early season snowpack means more exposed stumps, rocks, trees, and other very hard objects that tend to "win" when they collide with backcountry recreationalists. 

The bottom line:

Today the avalanche danger is LOW. LOW danger does not mean no danger. Some unstable snow may still linger on isolated terrain features especially on high elevation NW-N-NE aspects in complex or extreme terrain. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	30-37 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	44-52 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	West Southwest
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	20-25 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	50 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	12-28 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Partly cloudy this morning becoming sunny during the day.	Clear	Sunny
Temperatures:	41-48 deg. F.	28-34 deg. F.	42-49 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Southwest	Variable	Variable
Wind speed:	10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph	Light	Light
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Partly cloudy this morning becoming sunny during the day.	Clear	Sunny
Temperatures:	39-49 deg. F.	30-36 deg. F.	36-43 deg. F.
Wind direction:	West	West shifting to the southeast after midnight	Southwest
Wind speed:	15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph	10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph	15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.