THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 26, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 25, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

A winter storm expected to impact the region starting tonight will cause the avalanche danger to increase tonight and tomorrow as new snow and wind affect the area.

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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  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Increasing cloud cover and cooler daytime time temperatures should limit the amount of melting and softening that occurs today. Some corn conditions may form on the most sun-exposed mid to low elevation southerly aspects or on slopes that receive rain this afternoon, but wet snow instabilities should remain unlikely today.

As new snow and wind impact the forecast area tonight and tomorrow, wind slabs and storm slabs will form on top of the snowpack. These avalanche problems will cause the avalanche danger to increase. Natural and human triggered avalanches resulting from these new avalanche problems could become possible by tomorrow. After 2 weeks of stable melt-freeze conditions, a few days of winter will be exciting. Remember not to let that excitement override good judgment.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday up to 3 inches of soft corn snow existed above a supportable snowpack consisting of mostly melt-freeze snow on the sun exposed southerly aspects on Chickadee Ridge (Mt. Rose backcountry) by 11 am. No signs of wet snow instabilities were noted in this area. The northerly aspects remained frozen and exhibited no signs of instability.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Southwest winds and cloud cover should increase today ahead of a winter storm approaching the region. These strong southwest winds should continue through the storm. A slight chance for some snow or rain showers exists for this afternoon but the bulk of the precipitation should not arrive till tonight and tomorrow. The forecast calls for up to 4 inches of snow above 7000 ft. during the night. Snowfall intensity should increase during the day tomorrow with additional accumulations of 4 to 9 inches forecasted. It is possible that snowfall amounts could exceed these numbers depending how the specifics of the storm develop. At the start of the storm this evening, snow levels should hover near 6500 to 7000 ft. By tomorrow they should have fallen to around 5500 to 6500 ft. 

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 32 to 36 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 45 to 52 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 20 to 30 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 46 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 33 to 43 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Snow Snow
Temperatures: 38 to 46 deg. F. 24 to 29 deg. F. 24 to 34 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph increasing to 20 to 35 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph in the afternoon 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph 20 to 35 mph with gusts 45 to 55 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 to 1 up to 4 2 to 9
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the afternoon Snow Snow
Temperatures: 31 to 38 deg. F. 21 to 26 deg. F. 24 to 29 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 25 to 45 mph with gusts 60 to 80 mph 25 to 45 mph with gusts 50 to 70 mph 25 to 45 mph with gusts 60 to 80 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 to 2 up to 4 4 to 10
Disclaimer

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.