THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 15, 2017 @ 6:49 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 14, 2017 @ 6:49 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. MODERATE avalanche danger will form quickly during the mid to late morning hours as loose wet avalanche problems develop at all elevations in response to daytime warming. Start early and exit avalanche terrain early. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Near Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2. Moderate

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Below Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
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Another relatively poor snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night. Radiational cooling under clear skies will have formed surface crusts in open areas that are expected to be supportable early this morning. These crusts will melt quickly today and become unsupportable. Once supportable crusts are melted away, loose wet avalanches will be possible. This avalanche problem is expected to start during the mid to late morning hours and last through this evening. As daytime warming progresses, this loose wet avalanche problem is expected to spread to all aspects and elevations. Avalanche size could be large enough to bury a person, especially if a terrain trap is involved.

Start early and exit from avalanche terrain early. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations made and received yesterday from Angora Peak (Echo summit area), Silver peak (Pole Creek area), and Andesite Peak (Donner Summit area) all indicated that a relatively poor snow surface refreeze had occurred the night before. Little to no refreeze had occurred in areas under forest canopy. Open areas held around 2 inches of melt-freeze surface crust that lost supportability between 9:30 and 11 am. Deep wet snow was noted in numerous areas from 10:30 am to 1 pm onwards.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

An air temperature inversion has near to below freezing temperatures on the mountain valley floors and temperatures in the 40s on the peaks this morning. High pressure will allow for continued sunny skies and above average air temperatures today. Ridgetop winds out of the SW will begin to increase this afternoon ahead of a storm system that will pass to the north of the forecast area tomorrow. This storm system will bring mainly cloud cover, 5 to 10 degrees of cooling, and possibly some very light showers north of I-80. Snow level is forecast at 8,000' to 8,500' or possibly higher. High pressure builds over the forecast area on Friday behind the passing storm system.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 39 to 45 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 52 to 57 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 27 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 41 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 124 to 180 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Mostly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 57 to 65 deg. F. 30 to 38 deg. F. 52 to 57 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: Light winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon. 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph increasing to 50 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Mostly cloudy skies.
Temperatures: 56 to 64 deg. F. 32 to 38 deg. F. 49 to 55 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: 15 to 20 mph. Gusts to 35 mph increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon. 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. 20 to 35 mph. Gusts to 50 mph increasing to 75 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.

For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (530) 587-3558 x258