THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 10, 2018 @ 6:45 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 9, 2018 @ 6:45 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Minor loose wet instabilities may form in response to daytime warming. 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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Another day of sunshine and well above average air temperatures will melt this morning's surface crusts. As daytime warming progresses, areas of small loose wet instabilities may occur in response to human triggers. The vast majority of instability will occur in the form of roller balls. Small loose wet human triggered avalanches may occur in isolated areas of steep terrain. Normal caution is advised.

recent observations
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* Observations made yesterday on Mt. Houghton (Mount Rose area) revealed no significant instabilities. Usable snow cover on SE-S-SW aspects was generally limited to areas above 9,000'. Well established melt freeze conditions were noted on SE-S-SW aspects. E aspects were still in a transitional stage. Ski cuts on a steep E aspect at 9,200' at mid day produced only minor roller balls. Areas of cold unconsolidated snow were found in the deep shade on out of the way N aspects. Conditions elsewhere ranged from breakable crust to wind scoured.

* Observations received from south of Grouse Rock (Ward Canyon area) indicated no signs of problematic instability in a snowpit dug on a N aspect at 8,180'. Warming of snow previously unaffected by melt was noted in shaded areas. Some small skier triggered loose wet avalanches were reported on steep sun exposed terrain while descending below 8,200'.

* Snow coverage on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects varies significantly around the forecast area by elevation and location. Little to no continuous snow cover exists on these aspects below 8,200' to 9,000' depending on location. In some cases these aspects are mostly bare ground up to elevations above 10,000'.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Today will mark the last day of the current cycle of well above average air temperatures before a dry cold front moves through the region on Saturday. Sunny skies and light to moderate speed ridgetop winds today will give way to moderate to strong winds tonight. Some increase in cloud cover is forecast for tomorrow. Winds are expected out of the W this afternoon, shifting to the NE on Saturday. Following the cold front passage, maximum daytime air temperatures for Saturday afternoon and Sunday will return to near average for this time of year. This is around 15 degrees colder than what has occurred this past week. A second series of cold fronts is expected to impact the region on Monday.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 38 to 41 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 52 to 57 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: NE
Average ridgetop wind speed: 3 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 21 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 27 to 48 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 52 to 57 deg. F. 30 to 35 deg. F. 39 to 44 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Variable W W shifting to NE
Wind Speed: Light winds Generally light winds. Gusts up to 20 mph after midnight. Light winds increasing to to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph.
Expected snowfall: 0 0 0
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Sunny skies. Clear skies. Sunny skies.
Temperatures: 48 to 54 deg. F. 30 to 35 deg. F. 35 to 41 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: W W W shifting to NE
Wind Speed: 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon. 15 to 25 mph. Gusts to 30 mph increasing to 50 mph after midnight. 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 65 mph, shifting and decreasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 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