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.

High pressure is in place over the forecast area. Sunny skies and above average air temperatures are expected today. Ridgetop winds shifted from west to east last night and have been light in speed over the past 24 hours. Light to moderate speed east winds are forecast for today. Cloud cover and wind speeds are forecast to increase tomorrow ahead of an approaching weather system that may bring light precipitation to the forecast area tomorrow evening through Sunday.

Recent Observations:

Observations made yesterday on Lincoln Ridge (Yuba Pass area) and on Round Top Peak (Carson Pass area) both revealed stable snowpack conditions. Shallow wind slabs that exist in near and above treeline terrain on the majority of aspects in both areas were noted as either well bonded to the snow layers below or too thin to present a hazard concern if poorly bonded. No evidence of instability was observed in both formal and informal tests. On Lincoln Ridge, wet surface snow was noted on N-NE-E aspects, even in shaded areas up to the high point of travel at 7,800'. On Round Top Peak, surface wet snow formation that was noted in the 7,600' to 10,000' elevation range was limited to the more traditional sun exposed areas on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects (pit profiles, photos, videos, more info).

Avalanche Problem #1: Loose Wet Snow Avalanches

Since snowfall occurred on February 19, warming of air temperatures and the snow surface has been gradual. As air temperatures warm into the 40s and low 50s today, wet surface snow will form on all but the most wind exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Wet snow will also form on some NW-N-NE aspects below 8,000'. Wet snow instability is not expected to become an issue until very late in the day. In areas where a few inches of wet surface snow form today, small, slow moving, human triggered loose wet snow avalanches could occur during the late afternoon hours. The overall size of any loose wet snow avalanches that occur today are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers.

Avalanche Problem #2: Wind Slabs

On a regional scale, recent observations indicate that existing wind slabs are stable with human triggered avalanches unlikely. In very isolated areas, a few recent observations have suggested that some amount of very isolated but lingering instability may exist. While unlikely, small unstable wind slab avalanches might still occur in response to human triggers. If these unstable wind slabs still exist, they will be found near the Sierra Crest in complex near or above treeline terrain, most likely on a NW-N-NE aspect.

The bottom line:

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Continue to use normal caution while traveling in the backcountry.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	29 to 35 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	41 to 47 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	West shifting to east
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	11 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	25 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	54 to 80 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny skies.	Clear skies.	Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy.
Temperatures:	46 to 51 deg. F.	27 to 35 deg. F.	45 to 50 deg. F.
Wind direction:	E	E	SW
Wind speed:	10 to 15 mph. Gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.	10 to 15 mph. Gusts to 25 mph in the evening.	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny skies.	Clear skies.	Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy.
Temperatures:	41 to 46 deg. F.	29 to 34 deg. F.	40 to 45 deg. F.
Wind direction:	E	SE	SW
Wind speed:	15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.