THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 10, 2015 @ 6:43 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 9, 2015 @ 6:43 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Small loose wet avalanches remain a possibility in isolated areas on all aspects. Normal caution is advised.

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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Snow from the last storm cycle remains transitional from recent storm snow to melt-freeze in many areas. As air temperatures warm today, wet surface snow will again form on all but the most heavily shaded northerly aspects. The majority of instability today is expected to take the form of human triggered roller balls and pinwheels rather than loose wet avalanches. Isolated small loose wet avalanches are not outside the realm of possibility today on all aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper.

recent observations
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Snow cover across the forecast area differs dramatically on SE-S-SW aspects vs. NW-N-NE aspects. Snow cover on most SE-S-SW aspects has melted back to pre-storm coverage with large areas of bare ground. This is especially noticeable below 7,500' and in some cases to much higher elevations. Snow on E aspects above 7,000' remains transitional with marginally supportable melt-freeze crust over recent storm snow over rain crust. As the E aspect surface crust melts during the day, conditions generally make a rapid switch from marginally supportable to wet snow over recent storm snow. On NW-N-NE aspects, recent storm snow is metamorphosing into near surface facets in most areas. Thin surface melt-freeze crust has formed on all but the most heavily shaded N aspects. In these heavily shaded areas, pockets of unconsolidated near surface facets and recent storm snow linger, unaffected by melt-freeze. Recent observations from around the forecast area have shown no evidence of snowpack instability over the past few days. Glossary of terms

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure over the forecast area will begin to shift east today, opening the door for a precipitation event for the middle of this week. (Click here for the current expectations of this upcoming weather system from NWS Reno.) For today, expect sunny skies, continued above average air temperatures, and light to moderate speed easterly ridgetop winds. Remote sensors are reporting air temperatures at 8,000' to 9,600' in the mid 30s to low 40s this morning. Inversion conditions have most locations on the mountain valley floors in the mid 20s to low 30s just prior to sunrise. Maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast to reach the low 40s to upper 50s today for areas above 7,000'. Ridgetop winds remain out of the east this morning and are expected to continue through today. Ridgetop winds are expected to shift to the south tonight and to the southwest tomorrow ahead of the approaching weather system. Increased cloud cover tomorrow will cool maximum daytime air temperatures by a few degrees, especially at the mid and upper elevations.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 35 to 40 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 51 to 59 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East
Average ridgetop wind speed: 25 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 44 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 30 to 45 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy.
Temperatures: 50 to 58 deg. F. 33 to 38 deg. F. 48 to 56 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: E Variable S to SW
Wind Speed: Up to 10 mph. Light winds. 10 to 15 mph in the morning, increasing to 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy.
Temperatures: 42 to 49 deg. F. 30 to 36 deg. F. 41 to 48 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: E S S to SW
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Light winds up to 10 mph. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the morning, increasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 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.