THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 15, 2015 @ 6:30 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 14, 2015 @ 6:30 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects.

Normal caution is advised.

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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Warming air temperatures at the upper elevations are expected to produce a few inches of surface wet snow as daytime warming progresses. Any areas of wet snow instability that form today are expected to remain minimal and not pose a significant threat to backcountry travelers. Areas around exposed rocks and bushes may become full depth wet snow. These areas already have well established free water drainage and are not expected to pose much of an instability issue.

On northerly aspects the weak layer of generally poorly developed near crust facets that exists below the uppermost rain crust within the snowpack warrants continued monitoring. Finding an area where this weak layer is capped by a slab with the proper characteristics for a slab avalanche to occur remains highly unlikely. As evidenced by the recent small avalanche on Castle Peak, it is not an impossibility. Do not allow this dry spell to generate complacency for best practice travel techniques in and around avalanche terrain.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations made yesterday on Tamarack Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed no evidence of instability. Upper elevation northerly aspects continue to exhibit faceting in the mid and upper snowpack. In the vast majority of areas, any relative weak layers lack an overlying slab conducive to slab avalanche activity. The recent small slab avalanche that occurred sometime within the past week or so on Castle Peak on a NW aspect at 8,500' (more info) indicates that very isolated areas exist where the slab/weak layer combination is conducive to slab avalanche activity. Recent observations from around the forecast area indicate that these places are very few, very isolated, and difficult to find.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Building high pressure off of the west coast will allow for warming air temperatures, sunny skies, and light winds today. An air temperature inversion set up overnight with remote sensors at 8,000' to 9,000' reporting air temperatures in the upper 20s to upper 30s. Maximum daytime air temperatures above 7,000' are forecast to reach the upper 30s to mid 40s today. This is about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. Ridgetop winds decreased to light in speed shortly after midnight last night and are expected to remain light and variable through tomorrow morning.

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 37 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 33 to 37 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: East
Average ridgetop wind speed: 25 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 37 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 24 to 34 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 37 to 44 deg. F. 20 to 26 deg. F. 40 to 47 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Variable Variable Variable
Wind Speed: Light winds Light winds Light winds
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 38 to 45 deg. F. 23 to 30 deg. F. 38 to 45 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Variable Variable Variable
Wind Speed: Light winds Light winds Light winds
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.