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.

Cold air remains in place over the forecast area. Air temperature inversion has set up with sub zero to low single digit readings on the mountain valley floors and upper single digits to low teens on the surrounding peaks. Maximum daytime air temperatures are expected to warm into the low teens to mid 20s today for all areas. Ridgetop winds remain out of the northeast this morning. Increasing E to NE winds are forecast for today and tonight with moderate speed winds today, becoming strong overnight into tomorrow morning.

Recent Observations:

Observations made yesterday on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose area), on Mt. Lincoln (Donner Summit area), and on Scout Peak (Echo Summit area) revealed few signs of snowpack instability. On NE-E aspects on Rose Knob Peak and on E aspects on Mt. Lincoln, near crust faceting was observed in some areas directly beneath the melt freeze crust that exists below the new snow in some areas. This was not observed on SE-S-SW-W aspects. This has been noted on N-NE aspects in other locations over the past few days. While not an immediate snowpack concern, this is something to keep an eye on as plenty of time exists for these facets to continue to weaken prior to becoming more deeply buried (more info).

A group on Scout Peak reported skier triggered loose dry snow avalanche activity on NE aspects around 8,000' to 8,400'. Some skier triggered cracking was also reported in areas of recently formed wind slab, but cracks did not propagate easily (more info).

Avalanche Problem #1: Loose Dry Snow Avalanches

In areas where little wind effect has occurred, human triggered loose dry snow avalanches remain possible. Below average air temperatures over the past several days has slowed new snow stabilization. Expect the continued possibility of loose dry snow avalanches in wind protected areas on a variety of aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. These loose dry snow avalanches do not present a significant hazard alone, but when combined with secondary terrain exposures such as cliffs, creek beds, or other terrain traps, the likelihood of injury or burial increases.

Avalanche Problem #2: Wind Slabs

Generally stable wind slabs exist in recently wind loaded areas in near and above treeline terrain. Human triggering of wind slabs is unlikely at this time. That said, small isolated areas of instability may exist in complex or extreme terrain. Any areas of instability will be very isolated and found within surrounding areas of stable snow. Continue to implement travel practices designed to minimize risk.

The bottom line:

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects.Normal caution is advised. Please keep in mind that the definition of LOW danger includes small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	7 to 11 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	19 to 23 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Northeast
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	14 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	35 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	64 to 89 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Sunny skies, becoming partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy skies, becoming clear.	Sunny skies.
Temperatures:	15 to 23 deg. F.	-3 to 5 deg. F.	21 to 25 deg. F.
Wind direction:	E	E	E
Wind speed:	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.	25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Sunny skies, becoming partly cloudy.	Partly cloudy skies, becoming clear.	Sunny skies.
Temperatures:	10 to 16 deg. F.	5 to 8 deg. F.	21 to 25 deg. F.
Wind direction:	NE	E	E
Wind speed:	20 to 30 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Gusts increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon.	35 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph.	40 to 45 mph decreasing to 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Gusts to 60 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.