THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 30, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 29, 2015 @ 6:42 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects again today. Some small loose wet snow instabilities could still occur on some steep slopes today on any aspect where snow cover still exists. Sunny E aspects represent the most likely places to find wet snow. While loose wet snow instabilities should remain minor inconveniences in most places, they could become more problematic near terrain traps (like cliffs) where the terrain can magnify the consequences of any size avalanche.

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

Similar to the last several days, clear skies last night should have allowed the snowpack to radiate enough heat out into space for a decent overnight refreeze even though temperatures remained above freezing last night. The well established drainage channels formed by repeated melt-freeze cycles this winter combined with last night's refreeze mean that significant wet snow instabilities remain unlikely again today. Wet snow instabilities represent even less of an issue on the SE-S-SW-W aspects where the most wet snow typically forms since almost all of these aspects have melted back to bare ground. Some minor roller balls or pinwheels may form on the E and ENE aspects today, and those minor wet snow instabilities may extend to the NE, N, and NW aspects as well in areas where cloud cover materializes. Any wet snow instabilities that do form today should remain small and not involve enough snow to bury a person, but they could knock a person off balance or push someone off course. In areas near cliffs, rocks, other exposed hazards, or terrain traps these small inconvenient issues could pose more serious problems. 

recent observations
Submit Observations

As with other areas, only small isolated patches of snow remained on the SE-S-SW-W aspects in the Mt. Judah area yesterday. Even some of the E and NE aspects below 7800 ft. have started to melt out in this area. On E aspects where snow cover remained 3-4 inches of soft corn snow had formed above a supportable melt-freeze crust by midday. Some small, isolated, and inconsequential skier triggered loose wet snow sluffs and roller balls did occur on some E aspects. The northerly aspects held a mix of wet sticky snow in sunny areas and frozen melt-freeze crusts in shady areas.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Temperatures above 7000 ft. remained in the upper 30's to low 40's last night, while lower elevation valleys got a little colder due to cold air settling into those areas. This inversion should lift as the day warms up. Expect another warm and sunny day across the forecast area with temperatures in the upper 50's above 7000 ft. and light winds. A weak system moving across the Sierra south of the region may push a few clouds up into the southern part of the forecast area this afternoon and tonight. A few of these clouds could linger into Monday, but most of the forecast area will see more clear skies and warm weather again 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: 35 to 43 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 50 to 56 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest shifting to east during the day yesterday
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 to 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 33 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 9 to 37 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Sunny Mostly clear to partly cloudy in areas south of Hwy. 50 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy in areas south of Hwy. 50
Temperatures: 53 to 60 deg. F. 32 to 38 deg. F. 58 to 64 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Variable Variable Southwest
Wind Speed: Light Light Light becoming 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Sunday Sunday Night Monday
Weather: Sunny Mostly sunny to partly cloudy in areas south of Hwy. 50 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy in areas south of Hwy. 50
Temperatures: 51 to 57 deg. F. 30 to 37 deg. F. 51 to 57 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Variable Variable Southwest
Wind Speed: Light Light Light becoming 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.