THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 26, 2019 @ 6:52 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 25, 2019 @ 6:52 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Manage risk to minimize the consequences of triggering an unexpected avalanche. Plan for how terrain features may increase the consequences of a small avalanche.

1. Low

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Above Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Near Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche Problem 1: Normal Caution
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    Certain
    Very Likely
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Warming and wind are the main factors affecting the snowpack today. Continued gradual warming and above freezing air temperatures will allow for minor loose wet instabilities, mainly in the form of roller balls in sun exposed areas. Ridgetop winds out of the NE will strengthen today with strong gusts, similar in speed to those that occurred on January 22nd. Limited amounts of snow remain available for wind transport at the forecast wind speed. Any new areas of wind slab formation are expected to be small and isolated.

Identify areas of wet snow surface conditions or where blowing snow is depositing. If any avalanche activity occurs today, it will most likely occur in one of these locations. Avalanches large enough to bury a person are unlikely today. Smaller avalanches that would often be inconsequential may have significant consequences if occurring above cliffs, terrain traps, or in rocky chutes. Accidents in the current conditions are often traced back to terrain exposure, reliance on marginal islands of safety, and/or poor communication.

recent observations
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* Recent observations from around the forecast area indicate that the old weak layers buried deeply in the snowpack continue to gain strength.

* Snow surface conditions are becoming affected by warming in most areas. The snow surface on shaded, wind protected N aspects remains unconsolidated and has escaped melt at the mid and upper elevations.

* Significant wind erosion of the snow surface has occurred in near treeline and above treeline areas on all aspects. Exposed rain crust and firm ice exist in some areas.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Air temperature inversion conditions remain in place this morning with the coldest air on the mountain valley floors and warmer air mid slope and on the peaks. A dry weather disturbance will move through the region today increasing NE winds. Going into the weekend, high pressure will continue to build and winds are expected to decrease. Continued inversion conditions will allow for further warming over the mid and upper elevations.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 28 to 39 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 33 to 40 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: NE
Average ridgetop wind speed: 29 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 44 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 66 to 89 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 41 to 46. deg. F. 16 to 24. deg. F. 43 to 48. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds. Light winds. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Light winds.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sunny then becoming partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 38 to 43. deg. F. 20 to 26. deg. F. 42 to 47. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: North 15 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph increasing to 60 mph in the afternoon. Northeast 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 65 mph. East 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph in the morning.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
Disclaimer

This avalanche forecast is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This forecast 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 forecast applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This forecast expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this forecast is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

For a recorded version of the avalanche forecast call (530) 587-3558 x258