THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 22, 2014 @ 6:54 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 21, 2014 @ 6:54 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and 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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A good overnight refreeze is expected to have occurred last night due to near to below freezing air temperatures and radiational cooling under clear skies. Areas of wet surface snow will form again today in response to daytime heating. The snowpack is expected to remain supportable well into the afternoon hours. Any human triggered loose wet snow instabilities such as roller balls or tiny loose wet avalanches are expected to be small, inconsequential, and not present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers.

recent observations
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Observations made yesterday on Rubicon Peak (West shore Tahoe area), Angora Peak (Echo Summit area), and on Incline Lake Peak (Mount Rose area) all indicated that stable snowpack conditions with minor amounts of wet surface snow lasted well into the afternoon hours. From noon to 4 pm, 2 to 4 inches of wet surface snow existed on top of supportable melt-freeze crust. Wet surface snow was noted on NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects at nearly all elevations and on N aspects below 8,500'. Patches of transitional snow were noted on N aspects above 8,500'. Any areas of human triggered wet snow instabilities were very small and inconsequential.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A weather system passing to the south of the forecast area will allow for an increase in afternoon cloud cover again today. Ridgetop winds shifted from southwest to east last night and are light in speed. Winds are forecast to shift back to southwest this afternoon and increase to moderate in speed. Maximum daytime air temperatures above 7,000' are expected to reach well in to the 40s today for most locations. Sunny skies, light winds, and slightly cooler maximum daytime air temperatures are forecast for Saturday.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 29 to 35 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 46 to 48 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest shifting to east
Average ridgetop wind speed: 17 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 28 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 36 to 46 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy. Partly cloudy skies becoming clear. Mostly sunny skies.
Temperatures: 43 to 50 deg. F. 22 to 28 deg. F. 40 to 47 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: East shifting to west. West shifting to east. East
Wind Speed: Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the evening, shifting and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Up to 10 mph, becoming light in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, becoming mostly cloudy. Partly cloudy skies becoming clear. Mostly sunny skies.
Temperatures: 40 to 45 deg. F. 20 to 27 deg. F. 37 to 43 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: East shifting to southwest. West shifting to east. East
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph, shifting and increasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph, shifting and decreasing to around 10 mph after midnight. Around 10 mph becoming light 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.