THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 17, 2015 @ 6:58 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 16, 2015 @ 6:58 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger remains LOW on all elevations and aspects. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

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
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    Small

Even though the weak layer near the uppermost rain crust has started to gain strength and bond to itself and the layers around it in many areas, it does still exhibit weak layer characteristics in other areas. Currently this does not present much of an avalanche problem because finding a slab above this weak layer in an area where a person could trigger a slab avalanche remains very unlikely. This layer does warrant continued monitoring to see what it becomes before the weather decides to add new snow above it. Cloudy skies, strong winds, and slightly cooler daytime highs should all keep the other potential issue of wet snow instabilities from arising, and most snow surfaces should remain frozen today.

While avalanche activity will remain unlikely today, other hazards including icy conditions and a shallow snowpack with lots of obstacles remain.

 

recent observations
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Yesterday mostly cloudy skies in the northern part of the forecast area kept snow surfaces frozen on all aspects including those facing the southern half of the compass. Some small areas of softer snow did still linger in sheltered areas on Castle Peak and on Tamarack Peak. Looking to the south, more sun and clearer skies appeared to exist in the southern part of the forecast area. General observations and snowpit data from Castle Peak and Tamarack Peak did not reveal significant signs of instability. On Castle Peak the weak layer that was forming near the uppermost rain crust appears to be gaining strength. In the Tamarack Peak area, more well developed weaknesses existed in the snowpack, but tests still showed that without a slab on top of these layers avalanche activity remains unlikely.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Mostly cloudy skies and strong southwest winds should prevail across the forecast area today due to the low pressure system north of the region. Later tonight the winds should start to decrease. By tomorrow afternoon another small disturbance passing north of the area should cause the southwest winds to increase again. The mostly cloudy skies and slightly cooler temperatures should also continue through 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: 27 to 37 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 39 to 47 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 30 to 40 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 93 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 24 to 34 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 36 to 43 deg. F. 24 to 31 deg. F. 39 to 46 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight Light in the morning increasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 33 to 40 deg. F. 25 to 32 deg. F. 36 to 43 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Southwest shifting to west after midnight West shifting to southwest
Wind Speed: 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph 35 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph after midnight 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 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.