THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON November 22, 2015 @ 6:56 am
Avalanche Forecast published on November 21, 2015 @ 6:56 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Triggering is unlikely but certainly not impossible given the current snowpack layering. Per the definition of LOW danger from the North American avalanche danger scale, small avalanches may still occur in isolated areas or extreme terrain during LOW danger. Use caution and watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features when traveling in the backcountry. Shallow snow cover over rocks, stumps,and logs remains a significant hazard.

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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No specific widespread avalanche problems exist at this time. Isolated pockets of difficult to trigger old hard wind slab exist on top of weaker softer snow on northerly aspects in near and above treeline areas. Colder shaded areas in complex terrain including within gullies and couloirs and around rock outcrops and cliffs warrant slope specific stability evaluation before committing. Any areas of instability that exist today will be very isolated and will likely take backcountry travelers by surprise if quality slope specific stability evaluation was not performed beforehand.

recent observations
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Recent observations from around the forecast area point towards a trend of increasing snowpack stability. Wind scouring and melt following the last storm have taken a toll on snowcover. Highly variable conditions exist ranging from large areas of bare ground, to shallow wet melt-freeze snow cover, to breakable crust, to small pockets of old hard wind slab, to pockets of cold unconsolidated near surface facets. In many areas the snowpack is less than 1 foot deep and rarely exceeds 2 feet deep on wind protected northerly aspects.

Old basal and buried near surface facets have shown a general trend of increasing strength. In many areas these facets have become warm and moist. In isolated areas at the upper elevations on northerly aspects, these facets remain dry and colder.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure will continue to exist over the forecast area through Sunday. Expect morning air temperature inversions in the mountain valleys as cold air settles and warm air rises overnight. Periods of light to moderate speed southwest winds will occur today and tomorrow. Maximum daytime air temperatures in the low 40s to low 50s are forecast for areas above 7,000' both days.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 32 to 42 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 39 to 45 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: NE shifting to SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 24 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 44 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 9 to 19 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 46 to 52 deg. F. 25 to 33 deg. F. 45 to 52 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: S Variable SW
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light. Light winds Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 40 to 47 deg. F. 24 to 31 deg. F. 42 to 49 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: SW Variable SW
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the morning, becoming light. Light winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 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.