THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 4, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 3, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger will remain LOW for all elevations and aspects. Continue to use normal caution and practice safe travel habits 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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  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
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Due to settlement and consolidation in the snowpack since the last storm, natural and human triggered avalanches remain unlikely today. Unlikely does not mean impossible and unstable snow could linger on isolated terrain features especially in complex or extreme terrain like couliors, gullies, areas around cliffs, or unsupported slopes. Even though the avalanche danger is LOW continue to practice safe travel habits like traveling one at a time in avalanche terrain and regrouping in safe zones. Other backcountry hazards including icy conditions on some exposed near and above treeline slopes where arresting a fall would be difficult and a shallow snowpack with lots of obstacles still remain.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday observations on Lincoln Ridge (Yuba Pass area) showed consistency with other data from around the region. Scoured firm, icy conditions existed on slopes exposed to the N-NE winds especially on near and above treeline N-NE aspects. Partially sheltered areas held variable conditions ranging from wind packed snow to exposed crusts to a few inches of soft unconsolidated snow sitting on a supportable crust. On the sheltered N-NE aspects in near and below treeline terrain, 4-6 inches of soft snow remains on top of the supportable rain crust. Snowpit data still indicates that a weak layer may be slowly forming below the rain crust. Other than this possible future issue observations did not reveal any signs of instabilities.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Light winds, mostly clear skies, and warmer temperatures should continue across the region today and tomorrow due to a high pressure ridge off the west coast. Cold air has settled into the valleys making some of the valley temperatures colder than the mountains. This morning temperatures in the valleys remain in the teens and 20's while temperatures above 8000 ft. have already reached into the mid 30's. A system moving through the Pacific Northwest may bring a few scattered clouds and southwest to west winds to the forecast area starting tonight and 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: 26 to 36 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 36 to 42 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Northeast to north
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 30 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 26 to 39 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny Partly cloudy Partly cloudy
Temperatures: 36 to 43 deg. F. 20 to 26 deg. F. 38 to 45 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: North shifting to the west in the afternoon West Southwest
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph becoming light overnight. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny Partly cloudy Partly cloudy
Temperatures: 33 to 40 deg. F. 23 to 29 deg. F. 35 to 42 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: North West West
Wind Speed: 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph after midnight 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 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.