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.

Snow showers started earlier this morning as a disorganized low pressure system begins to impact the area. These show showers should become more widespread this afternoon before tapering off tonight as the system exits the region. This system should push through the area relatively quickly and should only produce one to two inches of new snow in the mountains today. It will bring colder air with it which will keep daytime highs in the low to mid 30's today and tomorrow. The winds should also increase today and this evening due to this low pressure. As the system exits the region tomorrow the winds should shift back to the north and east, and a high pressure ridge should start rebuilding over the forecast area.

Recent Observations:

Yesterday observations on S-SE-E-NE-N aspects on Andesite Ridge showed a wide range of snow surface conditions with a mostly stable snowpack below the surface layers. On the northerly aspects a mix of breakable crusts, wind scoured crusts, and patches of shallow, soft recent snow existed (photo). Just below the surface on the N-NE aspects, a layer of weak sugary snow (facets) has formed similar to those seen elsewhere in the forecast area. The same faceting process that formed this layer also continues to break down the surface rain crust. Firm, mostly frozen melt-freeze conditions reside on the S-SE aspects. Observations showed signs that only the top half to one inch of snow softened on these aspects yesterday above 7200 ft (photo). On the east aspects, a less thick but completely frozen melt-freeze layer existed on top of well consolidated snow below.

Today's Avalanche Concerns:

Today's one to two inches of new snow should not add enough weight to the snowpack to break the weak layer of near surface facets that has formed below the rain crust on the northerly aspects. The new snow combined with south winds may create a few small, shallow, and isolated wind slabs on the NW-N-NE aspects near and above treeline today. Minor cracking could occur on these slabs; however, they should not grow large enough to pose a major threat to backcountry travelers unless more snow falls than forecasted. Even though avalanche activity will remain unlikely today, icy slopes with a dusting of new snow, exposed rocks and trees, cliffs, and other terrain traps could still magnify the consequences of even the smallest snow slides or falls. Continue to use caution when traveling in the backcountry.

The bottom line:

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	25-28 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	41-46 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Variable mostly between east and southwest
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	5-15 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	36 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	0-1 inches
Total snow depth:	20-36 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Scattered snow showers in the morning. Snow showers becoming more widespread in the afternoon.	Cloudy with scattered snow showers in the evening. Snow showers should become isolated and taper off after midnight.	Partly cloudy
Temperatures:	30-35 deg. F.	23-28 deg. F.	32-39 deg. F.
Wind direction:	South	South	Northeast
Wind speed:	15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph	10-15 mph decreasing after midnight	10-15 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall:	1-2 in.	trace to 0 in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Scattered snow showers in the morning. Snow showers becoming more widespread in the afternoon.	Cloudy with scattered snow showers in the evening. Snow showers should become isolated and taper off after midnight.	Partly cloudy
Temperatures:	27-32 deg. F.	21-26 deg. F.	30-36 deg. F.
Wind direction:	South	South	Northeast
Wind speed:	30-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph decreasing to 20-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon	10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph becoming light after midnight	10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall:	1-2 in.	trace to 0 in.	O in.