THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 6, 2015 @ 6:37 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 5, 2015 @ 6:37 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. LOW danger means that areas of unstable snow can still exist on isolated terrain features. Even though human triggered avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible. Watch for small loose wet snow instabilities on steep sun exposed slopes and isolated larger wet snow instabilities.

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: Loose Wet
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Last night's cold clear weather allowed for a solid refreeze of any wet snow that formed yesterday. As the snow warms up again today, more wet loose snow instabilities could form on any sun exposed slopes steeper than 37 degrees. These wet snow instabilities should become more widespread today as a result of warmer daytime temps, the March sunshine, and a lack of cooling winds. Roller balls and pinwheels should still represent the majority of the loose wet snow instabilities that form today, but some small loose wet avalanches may also become possible on the most sun exposed aspects. These instabilities should not involve enough snow to bury a person, but they could push someone off course or knock a person over. Larger loose wet avalanches and wet slab avalanches will remain unlikely, but they are not impossible on slopes that undergo the most warming. Wet snow instabilities will be most prevalent on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, but some wet snow could also form on isolated sunny NE and NW aspects today.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations in the Incline Lake Peak area yesterday revealed wind scoured surfaces on the exposed near and above treeline slopes at the ridges on N-NE aspects. Below the ridges on the more sheltered northerly aspects, the recent snow remained soft and unconsolidated. Snowpit data and tests targeting the interface between the recent snow and the old snow layers below it indicated that the bond between these layers continues to gain strength as does the layer of old snow below the recent snow. On the E and some isolated NE aspects a breakable sun crust had formed. On the more exposed SE-S-SW aspects some small skier triggered roller balls and pinwheels less than 8 inches in diameter did start to occur yesterday afternoon.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

With another high pressure ridge sitting over the region, expect warmer than normal temperatures, sunny skies, and light winds for the next several days. Calm clear conditions overnight also allowed cold air to settle into the valleys and created an inversion meaning that temperatures at the lower elevations are currently colder than those at the upper elevations. Above 8000 ft. remote sensors reported temperatures in the 30's at 6 am while lower elevation stations reported temperatures in the teens and 20's. Daytime highs should climb into the mid to upper 40's above 7000 ft. today and tomorrow.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 28 to 34 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 35 to 44 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Northeast to east
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 22 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 36 to 50 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Sunny Clear Sunny
Temperatures: 42 to 49 deg. F. 22 to 30 deg. F. 44 to 51 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Variable Variable Variable
Wind Speed: Light Light Light
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Sunny Clear Sunny
Temperatures: 40 to 46 deg. F. 23 to 30 deg. F. 41 to 48 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Variable Variable Variable
Wind Speed: Light Light 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.