THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON April 9, 2018 @ 6:51 am
Avalanche Forecast published on April 8, 2018 @ 6:51 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations. As last night's snow surface refreeze melts away, loose wet avalanches will become possible. When snow surface conditions become marginally unsupportable to unsupportable, avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Near Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Below Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
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A good snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with clear skies and below freezing air temperatures above 7,000'. Continued SW winds may slow the snow surface melt rate today in wind exposed areas above treeline. With maximum daytime air temperatures in the 40s and 50s today, the supportable snow surface will eventually melt away. This will expose feet of residual wet snow deeper in the snowpack that did not refreeze last night. Once last night's snow surface refreeze has melted away, loose wet avalanches are possible.

Areas of loose wet avalanche problems will occur mainly on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations. Wet snow instability will eventually spread to NW-N-NE aspects during the afternoon hours and to a lesser extent on the highest elevation N aspects. Avalanche size up to D2 is possible (large enough to bury or injure a person). Monitor snow surface supportability. When last night's snow surface refreeze melts away and conditions become marginally unsupportable to unsupportable, avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.

recent observations
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* The recent storm system from the evening of March 5th into March 7th brought 2 to 6 inches of rain to the forecast area with snow levels at 11,000' to 12,000' for most of the event.

* Observations made yesterday afternoon on Tamarack Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed below freezing air temperatures and refreezing snow surface conditions on top of several feet of wet snow. New snow amounts of 1 to 2 cm had fallen above 9,700' at the very tail end of the storm.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure is building over the forecast area. Gusty SW ridgetop winds will continue today as the recent storm system exists the region. Cloud cover cleared out last night and will allow for sunny skies today. Air temperatures are forecast to climb into the 40s and 50s by mid day for areas above 7,000'. Ridgetop winds are forecast to shift to the NE tonight and become light tomorrow. Additional warming will occur on Monday. The next weather system to impact the region will arrive on Tuesday with wind and snow showers.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 23 to 30 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 37 to 44 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 52 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 89 mph
New snowfall: Trace inches
Total snow depth: 54 to 92 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 47 to 53 deg. F. 23 to 28 deg. F. 57 to 63 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: SW Variable NE
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the morning, becoming light. Light winds Light winds
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 42 to 48 deg. F. 25 to 30 deg. F. 52 to 58 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: SW W shifting to NE after midnight. E to NE
Wind Speed: 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 70 mph, decreasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the morning, becoming light.
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