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.

Cloud cover has increased over the forecast area during the past 24 hours. Mid and high level moisture has moved into the region and is here to stay for the rest of this week. A mix of cloud cover and occasional very light precipitation is expected today and tomorrow. Snow level is forecast to remain around 7,000'. Shower activity is expected to peak during the afternoon hours as daytime warming drives atmospheric instability. Any new snow accumulations are not expected to exceed trace accumulations. Ridgetop winds out of the southwest increased to strong in speed last night. Strong winds are forecast to continue through this morning and then ease to moderate speed this afternoon. Winds are forecast to remain out of the southwest, further decreasing in speed tonight and tomorrow. This morning, remote sensors above 8,000' are reporting air temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. Maximum daytime air temperatures for areas above 7,000' are expected to reach the low 30s to upper 40s.

Recent Observations:

Observations made yesterday on Jake's Peak (West shore Tahoe area) revealed a well established thick melt-freeze layer at the snow surface. Evidence of a very strong overnight refreeze of the surface snow was evident in this area on all NE-E-SE aspects traveled. At at 8,970' on an E aspect, this surface melt-freeze layer was 6 inches thick, very strong and supportable. Below this layer was 2 feet of lower density wet snow from the mid March warm period that was in a slow state of refreezing. Total depth of snow at that location was 5 feet. Very little snow existed in the area on E aspects below 7,000' (photo, more info).

Avalanche Problem #1: Loose Wet Avalanches

Cloud cover last night may have reduced the strength of overnight snow surface refreeze in some areas. This same cloud cover will also serve to slow the rate of snow surface melt today. While some amount of wet surface snow is likely to form today on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, natural and human triggered loose wet snow avalanches are unlikely. Isolated areas where significant sun breaks occur today could hold locally greater avalanche danger.

The bottom line:

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	27 to 33 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	39 to 49 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Southwest
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	44 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	65 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	49 to 84 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy skies. Isolated snow showers in the afternoon.	Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers.	Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of showers.
Temperatures:	40 to 47 deg. F.	25 to 32 deg. F.	40 to 49 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	SW	SW
Wind speed:	25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph, decreasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon.	10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.	10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	0 to trace in.	0 to trace in.	0 to trace in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy skies. Isolated snow showers in the afternoon.	Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers.	Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers.
Temperatures:	31 to 44 deg. F.	21 to 28 deg. F.	36 to 43 deg. F.
Wind direction:	SW	SW	SW
Wind speed:	40 to 45 mph with gusts to 75 mph, decreasing to 30 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph in the afternoon.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
Expected snowfall:	0 to trace in.	0 to trace in.	0 to trace in.