THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 9, 2020 @ 6:51 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 8, 2020 @ 6:51 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Slabs of wind drifted snow that formed over the last 24 hours above treeline and near treeline are the main avalanche concern today. There is a slight chance that a minor loose wet avalanche problem could develop today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Near Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

1. Low

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Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
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Wind drifted new snow from the past 24 hours has built some wind slabs in near treeline and above treeline terrain. These wind slabs exist mainly on the leeward side of ridges and sub ridges on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Avalanche size is expected at D1 in most areas with up to D2 possible in the areas with the greatest amounts of wind drifted snow.

Identify where wind drifted snow has deposited and formed into wind slabs. Areas below cornice features or where pillows of deeper wind drifted snow exist are suspect. Shooting cracks are a sign of unstable snow in the immediate area. Once you have identified the areas of concern for this avalanche problem, move around them with caution and with an intentional plan to minimize risk.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
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It is unlikely but not impossible that enough solar radiation will make it through the cloud cover today to create some minor loose wet avalanches. Sufficient warming is most likely to occur below about 8,000' to 8,500'. Pay attention to snow surface warming when traveling E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, especially near exposed rocks. Roller balls are an indication that this avalanche problem is forming.

recent observations
Submit Observations

* Drifting snow was reported yesterday near and above treeline. By the afternoon hours, drifts to 10 inches deep were reported from the vicinity of Blue Lakes (Carson Pass area).

* New snow has deposited on top of firm melt-freeze crust in most areas on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. New snow has deposited on top of more variable conditions ranging from soft to firm on NW-N-NE aspects.

* The existing snowpack has a few relative weak layers in the upper snowpack on NW-N-NE aspects but is in good condition to handle the amounts of new snow loading received in the past 24 hours.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Light snowfall occurred yesterday with the greatest accumulations along the Sierra Crest in the northern portion of the forecast area. Ridgetop winds remain out of the SW this morning, having decreased last night to moderate speed. Light snow showers continue this morning, mainly north of Hwy 50. Snow showers are expected to continue area wide through tomorrow with very little additional new snow accumulation. Some sunshine may make it through the cloud cover at times today. Ridgetop winds out of the SW are forecast to increase in speed a bit tonight into tomorrow.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 17 to 23 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 26 to 31 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 40 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 81 mph
New snowfall: 2 to 5 inches
Total snow depth: 34 to 51 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 15%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 35%.
Temperatures: 35 to 41. deg. F. 23 to 29. deg. F. 38 to 43. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: South to southwest around 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.
Expected snowfall: Less than 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.05 inch. Less than 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.05 inch. Up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Partly to mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow after midnight. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 15%. Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Temperatures: 29 to 37. deg. F. 19 to 24. deg. F. 33 to 39. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: South to southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Southwest 15 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph increasing to 50 mph after midnight. Southwest 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 50 mph decreasing to 35 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: Less than 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. Up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch. Up to 1 inch. | SWE = less than 0.10 inch.
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