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 over the forecast area will break down today as a weak weather system moves into the region. Increasing cloud cover and increasing winds will occur today before light precipitation begins this evening and tonight. Southwest winds are already increasing this morning over the ridgetops with strong gusts expected today. Cloud cover will keep maximum daytime air temperatures 4 to 8 degrees colder today than yesterday. Maximum daytime air temperatures are still expected to reach in the 40s today for areas above 7,000'. As precipitation begins late today, snow levels are expected to start out around 7,000' and then lower to near 6,000' overnight for the remainder of precipitation. Light snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected tonight through Sunday.

Recent Observations:

Observations made yesterday on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed a very thin and discontinuous snowpack below 7,800' on E-SE-S-SW aspects. Above 8,500' to 8,900' the snowpack became continuous. Surface wet snow amounts of 1 to 2 inches were observed in the areas between 7,400' and 9,600' on E-SE-S aspects at 10:30 am. No evidence of wet snow instability existed at that time (photos, more info).

Observations made Thursday 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

Cloud cover today will reduce the amount of wet surface snow that forms today compared to yesterday. With air temperatures forecast to warm into the 40s today, some amount of wet surface snow will still form on all but the most wind exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Wet snow may form on some NW-N-NE aspects below 8,000' as well. Wet snow instability is not expected to become an issue until this afternoon if at all today. If more than a couple of inches of wet surface snow does form today, small, slow moving, human triggered loose wet snow avalanches could occur during the 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:	35 to 42 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	45 to 53 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East shifting to southwest
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	17 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	42 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	53 to 80 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies with a slight chance of rain/snow showers in the evening. Snow after midnight.	Cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Snow in the morning. Snow showers in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	46 to 51 deg. F.	27 to 32 deg. F.	37 to 43 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	SW	W
Wind speed:	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	Up to 1 in.	Up to 2 in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Cloudy skies.	Cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the evening. Snow after midnight.	Cloudy skies becoming mostly cloudy. Snow in the morning. Snow showers in the afternoon.
Temperatures:	40 to 46 deg. F.	22 to 27 deg. F.	33 to 41 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	SW	SW to W
Wind speed:	25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph.	30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.	25 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph, decreasing to 25 to 35 with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	Up to 1 in.	1 to 2 in.