THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 10, 2017 @ 6:43 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 9, 2017 @ 6:43 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE today as loose wet avalanche become possible. Some of these loose wet avalanches may entrain enough snow to bury a person. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to colder shadier slopes once signs of loose wet instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, or sinking deep into wet snow start to occur. 

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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More sunshine and even warmer temperatures today will allow loose wet instabilities to become more widespread. These loose wet instabilities could take the form of roller balls, pinwheels, or larger loose wet avalanches. Some of these loose wet avalanches could involve enough snow to bury a person especially in areas where terrain like gullies, slopes that end in cliffs or lakes, or other terrain traps could magnify the consequences of an avalanche. The largest and most widespread loose wet instabilities will occur on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects and could occur at all elevations. Some smaller more isolated loose wet instabilities may also occur on low elevation northerly aspects. 

Clues like roller balls, pinwheels, and sinking into wet snow above your boot-tops can indicate that larger loose wet avalanches could occur. Avoid steep slopes where wet snow exists today.  

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations on Rubicon Peak and Trimmer Peak yesterday found warm, wet, sticky snow on the sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects by mid-morning. Some of the NE and NW aspects below 8000 ft. also had wet snow on them. Pinwheels and roller balls occurred on the warm slopes by mid-morning and grew in size as the day got warmer. Larger loose wet avalanches could be seen from a distance on the south sides of Incline Lake Peak and Rose Knob Peak. On the true north aspects above 7500 ft, cold soft snow still existed in sheltered areas on Rubicon and Trimmer and wind-affected snow surfaces existed in exposed areas. 

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

A high-pressure ridge over the forecast area will keep the weather warm and dry for the next several days. While some colder air exists at the lower elevations this morning, many of the upper elevations did not get below freezing last night. This inversion should lift as the day warms up. Expect sunny skies and daytime highs in the upper 40's and low 50's above 7000 ft. today and tomorrow. A few more clouds may move into the region tomorrow as storms move through the Pacific Northwest. 

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 38 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 43 to 53 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Southwest to northeast
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 31 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 135 to 191 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 Partly cloudy Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 44 to 54 deg. F. 25 to 35 deg. F. 44 to 54 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 Partly cloudy Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy
Temperatures: 40 to 50 deg. F. 25 to 35 deg. F. 45 to 51 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southwest Southwest West
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph
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