THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON January 28, 2015 @ 6:55 am
Avalanche Forecast published on January 27, 2015 @ 6:55 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today on all aspects and elevations. Today's light snow accumulation and light winds should not create significant avalanche harzards unless more snow falls than forecasted. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making 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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The 1-2 inches of new snow and the light winds forecasted for today should not create significant slabs on top of the stable snowpack. Without significant slab formation, avalanche activity will remain unlikely. This new snow will fall on top of frozen crusts on all aspects creating "dust on crust" conditions. Some minor sluffing of the new snow may occur on steep slopes, but with only 1 to 2 inches of snow to work with, these sluffs should remain small and isolated. Some small, shallow, and isolated wind drifts may also form in the most wind loaded areas, but these should not pose much threat to backcountry travelers due to meager snow accumulation amounts and light winds. If more snow falls than forecasted and the winds grow stronger than forecasted, some small wind slabs may form in areas that typically experience heavy wind loading.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Yesterday on Chickadee Ridge in the Mt. Rose backcountry, observations continued to show a stable snowpack capped by frozen crusts on the northerly aspects and melt-freeze conditions on southerly aspects. Some softening occurred on the sun exposed southerly aspects by 11 am, but increasing cloud cover limited the amount of wet snow that formed. Snowpit data on the northerly aspects showed that the snowpack continues to gain strength.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Some light snow has started falling in the southern end of the forecast area. This snow should move north today as a low pressure system from Baja moves north. Colder temperatures should accompany this system. Snow levels should hover between 6000 and 6500 ft. Most areas above 7000 ft. should only see 1 to 2 inches of new snow, but a slight possibility exists for up to 4 inches in some high elevation areas along the Sierra Crest. Places south of Highway 50 have the best chances for higher accumulations. The forecast calls for southwest and west winds in the 10 to 20 mph range in the mountains today. As this system moves out of the area this afternoon and evening, snow showers and winds should decrease leaving behind cloudy skies and cooler overnight lows. The forecast calls for lingering clouds tomorrow and daytime highs in the mid to upper 30's 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 36 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 42 to 50 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: South and southwest
Average ridgetop wind speed: 15 to 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 40 mph
New snowfall: 0 to a trace inches
Total snow depth: 22 to 32 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Cloudy with light snow Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the evening then a slight chance of snow after midnight Mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 30 to 37 deg. F. 21 to 28 deg. F. 34 to 41 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: West and southwest Variable Variable
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon Light Light
Expected snowfall: around 1 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Cloudy with light snow Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the evening then a slight chance of snow after midnight Mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 26 to 33 deg. F. 20 to 27 deg. F. 33 to 39 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: West and southwest Variable Variable
Wind Speed: 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph Light Light
Expected snowfall: 1 to 2 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.