THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON December 29, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Avalanche Forecast published on December 28, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Isolated areas of instability may exist. 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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A few inches of snowfall across the forecast area today are not expected to create new avalanche problems requiring adjustments to travel techniques beyond normal caution. Some very small wind slabs might form today in the areas of most efficient wind loading. This is generally below cornice features near and above treeline on N-NE-E aspects  Any new wind slabs formed today are expected to have minimal slab depth and minimal down slope development. These slabs are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers if normal caution is exercised.

Simple travel techniques such as exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain by traveling from one safe zone to another, avoiding stopping in marginal safe zones, avoiding travel above terrain traps, minimizing exposure during uphill travel, and avoiding grouping up in avalanche run out zones are all parts of normal caution. Call out your travel partner if you observe marginal quality decision making in regards to normal caution. They are the person that is supposed to have your back out there at all times.

recent observations
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Observations made yesterday near Stanford Rock (Ward Canyon area) and near Ebbetts Pass did not reveal any significant signs of instability. Wind slabs that had formed the day before revealed little to no reactivity on test slope sized features. Snowpit data pointed towards some potential faceting around the Dec 24 rain crust on northerly aspects, but snowpit tests showed no problematic failures at this layer interface. Informal observations received from the public on Tamarack Peak (Mount Rose area) and snowpit data received from the public on Castle Peak (Donner Summit area) did not give any indications of snowpack instability in these areas.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A low pressure system of the inside slider variety will bring snow showers to the forecast area today. SW winds increased yesterday evening and were strong enough to mix out the air temperature inversion. Winds are decreasing this morning to light to moderate in speed. Winds are forecast to shift to the N by this afternoon and become moderate in speed. Air temperatures this morning are in the mid teens to low 20s for areas above 8,000'. Maximum daytime air temperatures for areas above 7,000' are forecast in the low teens to low 20s today as the approaching low pressure system moves colder air into the region. Cloud cover will begin to dissipate tonight with partly cloudy skies, cool air temperatures, and moderate speed winds expected for 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: 16 to 21 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 24 to 37 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 26 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 50 mph
New snowfall: 0 to 1 inches
Total snow depth: 48 to 59 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Cloudy skies with snow showers. Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 16 to 23 deg. F. 7 to 13 deg. F. 17 to 24 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: W shifting to N in the afternoon. N NW
Wind Speed: 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
Expected snowfall: 1 to 3 0 to trace 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Monday Monday Night Tuesday
Weather: Cloudy skies with snow showers. Mostly cloudy skies with isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 12 to 19 deg. F. 2 to 9 deg. F. 16 to 23 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: W shifting to N in the afternoon. N N to NW
Wind Speed: 35 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph, shifting and decreasing to 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph, increasing to 30 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 1 to 3 0 to trace 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.