THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON December 2, 2017 @ 6:41 am
Avalanche Forecast published on December 1, 2017 @ 6:41 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Small wind slabs could form as winds increase today and tomorrow. Normal caution is appropriate for travel in and around avalanche terrain throughout the forecast area.

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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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Normal caution is appropriate for travel around the snow covered portions of the forecast area. This means carying companion rescue gear and actively using best practice travel techniques when passing above, through, or below avalanche terrain despite low hazard. Expose only one person at a time to avalanche terrain, do not travel directly above others, and regroup only in areas truly outside of avalanche paths and runout zones.

Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slab
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Small wind slabs could become an issue in isolated areas near treeline and above treeline. As winds increase today and tomorrow, any snow that remains available for wind transport could contribute to new wind slab formation.  Identify areas of blowing snow and avoid areas of current wind loading. This will be most prominent along ridgelines and below cornice features.

recent observations
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-Areas with a usable snowpack are generally limited to locations above 8,000'. Snowpack usability in the 7,300' to 8,000' range varies significantly by location.

-Northerly aspects hold a snowpack that is 2' to 3' deep and is highly supportable.

-Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on southerly aspects and cold dry faceted surface snow can be found on northerly aspects and in other shaded areas.

-The layers deeper in the snowpack are well bonded and previously affected by rain and melt.

-Supportable rain crust exists near and occationally at the snow surface in most locations below 10,000'.

 

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies today and increasing cloud cover tomorrow. The next storm system is expected to impact the forecast area Saturday night into Sunday morning. This storm is forecast to be colder than previous storms so far this season. Snowfall amounts remain uncertain at this time. Ridgetop winds from the SW will start to increase this afternoon over the upper elevations, becoming moderate to strong in speed tomorrow afternoon. Maximum daytime air temperatures above 7,000' are expected to continue to warm above freezing today 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: 27 to 38 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 41 to 45 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 41 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 14 to 32 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. Partly cloudy skies. Mostly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 43 to 48 deg. F. 28 to 33 deg. F. 40 to 46 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 40 mph. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 40 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. Partly cloudy skies. Mostly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 39 to 45 deg. F. 27 to 32 deg. F. 35 to 41 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon. 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Gusts increasing to 60 mph after midnight. 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 65 mph, increasing to 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 85 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.

For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (530) 587-3558 x258