THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 19, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 18, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations and on all aspects. 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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    Very Large
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Some areas of shallow, soft, and wet surface snow may form today on the sun exposed aspects. However, cooler daytime highs, continued light east winds, last night's strong refreeze, and the fact that the snowpack has already been through several extended melt-freeze cycles will all work to prevent large wet snow instabilities from forming today. While unlikely, some isolated small roller balls, small pinwheels, and small loose wet snow slides are not impossible on the most sun-exposed low to mid elevation SE-S-SW aspects. If any of these instabilities do occur today, they should not entrain very much snow nor should they present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday on Incline Lake Peak between 8300 and 9600 ft. enough melting occurred for 1 to 4 inches of soft wet snow to form on the surface of the E-SE-S-SW aspects by 2 pm. This wet surface snow existed on top of layers of mostly frozen melt freeze snow that easily supported a skier's weight. Observations in this area did not produce any signs of wet snow instabilities prior to 3 pm. Data and observations from the more sheltered and shaded northerly aspects revealed a stable snowpack capped with variable surface conditions ranging from crusts, to wind scoured surfaces, to small patches of softer snow.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Easterly winds should continue across the forecast area today in the wake the cold front that passed through the area. Temperatures should also remain cool with daytime highs in the 30's forecast for areas above 7000 ft. today. As this mass of cooler air continues eastward temperatures should begin to warm back up tomorrow and the wind should shift to the southwest again. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the mid to upper 40's by tomorrow afternoon above 7000 ft. 

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 17 to 25 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 39 to 47 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 to 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 41 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 38 to 49 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming sunny during the day Clear Sunny
Temperatures: 33 to 43 deg. F. 14 to 24 deg. F. 40 to 50 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: East Variable Southwest
Wind Speed: 5 to 15 mph Light 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming sunny during the day Clear Sunny
Temperatures: 26 to 36 deg. F. 17 to 27 deg. F. 35 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: East Southeast Southwest
Wind Speed: 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph decreasing to 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the evening 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the evening 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 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.