THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON April 4, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Avalanche Forecast published on April 3, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Issued by Steve Reynaud - Tahoe National Forest

Mostly sunny skies with mild temperatures will allow small loose wet instabilities to develop throughout the day.  Overall, LOW avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.  Avalanche danger is expected to rise over the weekend as a storm impacts our region.

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: Loose Wet
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    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
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    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Small loose wet instabilities could develop today on all aspects and elevations as daytime warming occurs.  A good overnight refreeze of the snowpack along with increasing clouds and winds this afternoon should help to limit larger instabilities from forming.  High sun angles and intense April sunshine will warm the snow surface and provide wet snow conditions on most aspects by midday.  Wind protected solar aspects and terrain around rocks and gully features will be the most likely to warm quickly today. 

Small loose wet avalanches could still be problematic and push you into rocks, trees, or over cliffs.  Change aspects if the snow surface becomes wet and unsupportive.  Roller balls and pinwheels could be an indicator that larger loose wet avalanche activity is possible.

Forecast discussion

After further observations and no additional reported avalanche activity, the persistent slab avalanche problem has been removed from the avalanche forecast.  This problem was based on buried surface hoar that was responsible for numerous human triggered avalanches since our last storm.  Surface hoar was deposited on the snow surface before the March 24-26 storm cycle and then became buried under 1' of storm snow.  Persistent slab avalanches ranged in size from 1' to 3' deep and produced mostly D2 avalanches.  Most all avalanche activity was reported between Wednesday March 25-Friday March 27 with 1 other avalanche reported on Monday March 30.  Continued monitoring of this layer indicates that it has gained strength and is unlikely to produce avalanches on a regional scale.       

recent observations
Submit Observations

Observations were submitted yesterday from the Little Truckee Summit area.  Forecasters went searching for lingering buried surface hoar instabilities throughout this area.  While they found the layer intact in isolated areas, they found no signs of instabilities.  Surface breakable crusts softened by midday in this area providing decent travel conditions.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Well below freezing overnight temperatures were reported at all locations.  Mostly sunny skies with high temperatures today into the mid 30's to mid 40's above 7000'.  Clouds and winds will increase today and into tonight.  A winter storm warning is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning.  Moderate to heavy snow is possible at times during the weekend with 1 to 2 feet of snow forecasted over the Sierra Crest. 

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 18 to 27 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 31 to 41 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 20 to 30 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 48 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 55 to 78 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy then becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Temperatures: 39 to 45. deg. F. 22 to 27. deg. F. 35 to 41. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds becoming west around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph. Southwest around 15 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the evening becoming light. Southwest 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. 60% probability of 1 to 2 inches. 40% probability of up to 4 inches. | SWE = up to 0.30 inch.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy then becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 65%.
Temperatures: 33 to 39. deg. F. 19 to 24. deg. F. 29 to 35. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph increasing to 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 95 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. 70% probability 1 to 3 inches. 30% probability up to 5 inches. | SWE = up to 0.30 inch.
Disclaimer

This avalanche forecast is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This forecast 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 forecast applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This forecast expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this forecast is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

For a recorded version of the avalanche forecast call (530) 587-3558 x258