THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON April 13, 2014 @ 6:52 am
Avalanche Forecast published on April 12, 2014 @ 6:52 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger will quickly rise to MODERATE at all elevations and on all aspects as the day warms up. Human triggered loose wet avalanches will remain possible today. Natural avalanche activity is unlikely but not impossible.

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.

2. Moderate

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Below Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
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Even though overnight temperatures again remained above freezing, less cloud cover last night should have allowed a slightly stronger refreeze to occur. Still, the strong sunshine and warm temperatures will melt through this thin refreeze quickly leaving weak unsupportable wet snow behind. Loose wet snow avalanche activity including pinwheels, roller balls, and loose wet snow point release avalanches will become possible on all aspects. Most of these loose wet avalanches should remain relatively small, but small wet snow avalnches can still push a person into an area with other consequences or could become more serious in areas where terrain traps exist. Some larger wet snow instabilities are not impossible today.

recent observations
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Yesterday afternoon on Rubicon Peak, stepping out of one's skis resulted in sinking up to mid-shin depth into wet snow on all aspects up to 9000 ft. Ski cuts on small steep test slopes on the N and E and SE aspects triggered small roller balls, pinwheels, and wet snow sluffs.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Most of the yesterday's cloud cover cleared out overnight and early this morning. Today's forecast calls for warm temperatures, light winds, and mostly sunny skies over the forecast area. Daytime highs could reach into the upper 50's above 7000 ft. again today. Instability in the atmosphere today means another slight chance of thunder storms (20%) especially in areas north of I-80 and south of Hwy. 50. A small cold front should start to impact the region tonight bringing cooler temperatures and moderate NE winds to the area tomorrow. Tomorrow's highs should only reach into the upper 40's above 7000 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: 34 to 44 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 53 to 57 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 27 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 30 to 58 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon Partly cloudy with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the evening becoming clear overnight Sunny
Temperatures: 52 to 59 deg. F. 28 to 35 deg. F. 43 to 50 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: West West Northeast shifting to the east in the afternoon
Wind Speed: Light in the morning increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon Partly cloudy with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the evening becoming clear overnight Sunny
Temperatures: 51 to 57 deg. F. 28 to 35 deg. F. 41 to 47 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Northwest West shifting to the northwest after midnight Northeast
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph after midnight 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph increasing to 30 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
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.