THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 21, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 20, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

1. Low

?

Above Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

?

Near Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

?

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
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Similar to yesterday areas of shallow, soft, and wet surface snow (corn) should form on the sun exposed aspects as the day warms up today. However wet snow instabilities large enough to cause problems for backcountry recreation remain unlikely due to another strong refreeze  last night and the fact that the snowpack has been through several extended melt-freeze cycles. 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.

recent observations
Submit Observations

On Red Lake Peak yesterday, 1 to 4 inches of soft corn snow had formed on sun-exposed SE-S-SW slopes up to 9600 ft. by noon. This wet surface snow existed on top of layers of strong, supportable, and frozen melt freeze snow. Ski cuts on test slopes, snowpit data, and general observations did not reveal any signs of wet snow instabilities prior to 1 pm. Observations on the northerly aspects indicated a stable snowpack with variable surface conditions that mostly consisted of crusts and wind scoured surfaces.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Today some cloud cover may start to develop over the region especially in areas south of Highway 50. The forecast calls for the cloud cover to become more widespread tonight and then to begin to decrease again tomorrow. A weak low pressure moving past the region to the south represents the driver of this cloud cover. Other than the increase in cloud cover the weather should remain similar to the past few days with temperatures in the mid to upper 40's and light to moderate southwest winds in the mountains 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: 29 to 35 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 43 to 48 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 to 25 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 47 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 37 to 46 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy during the day Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy overnight Partly cloudy
Temperatures: 44 to 51 deg. F. 25 to 35 deg. F. 42 to 49 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Southwest Variable Variable
Wind Speed: 5 to 15 mph in the morning becoming light in the afternoon Light Light
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy during the day Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy overnight Partly cloudy
Temperatures: 36 to 46 deg. F. 25 to 35 deg. F. 34 to 44 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Variable West
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the morning Light 0 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 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.