THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 20, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 19, 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.

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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    Certain
    Very Likely
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Warmer temperatures and plentiful sunshine should cause enough melting for areas of shallow, soft, and wet surface snow (corn) to form on the sun exposed aspects today. While this wet snow should be more widespread than yesterday due to more melting, last night's strong refreeze and the fact that the snowpack has already been through several extended melt-freeze cycles should help prevent large wet snow instabilities from forming today. Some isolated small roller balls, small pinwheels, and small loose wet snow slides may occur on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW aspects.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Colder temperatures and cold east winds kept the snow surface mostly frozen on all aspects in near and above treeline terrain on Mt. Judah yesterday. On sun-exposed southerly slopes sheltered from the east winds below 7800 ft.  enough melting occurred for 1 to 2 inches of soft wet corn snow to form on the surface of the E-SE-S-SW aspects by noon. This wet surface snow existed on top of layers of strong, supportable, and frozen melt freeze snow. No signs of wet snow instabilities were observed prior to 2 pm and observations on the northerly aspects indicated a stable snowpack with variable surface conditions that mostly consisted of crusts and wind scoured surfaces.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Remote sensors this morning reported temperatures 5 to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning and that light southwest winds replaced the cold east wind during the night last night. These light southwest winds should continue through tomorrow. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the mid 40's above 7000 ft. both today and tomorrow. The high pressure over the region should also make today another clear and sunny day. Some cloud cover may start to move into the area tonight and tomorrow as a weak low pressure approaches the CA coast.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 26 to 35 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 33 to 41 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East shifting to the southwest after midnight
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 to 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 41 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 38 to 47 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
Weather: Sunny Clear becoming partly cloudy overnight Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy during the day
Temperatures: 43 to 50 deg. F. 22 to 32 deg. F. 44 to 51 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Variable Variable Variable
Wind Speed: Light Light Light
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
Weather: Sunny Clear becoming partly cloudy overnight Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy during the day
Temperatures: 35 to 45 deg. F. 22 to 29 deg. F. 35 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Southwest Southwest
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph
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.