THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON December 11, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Avalanche Forecast published on December 10, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

For now, collisions with exposed and barely covered obstacles and challenging travel conditions resulting from variable snow surfaces still represent the main concern in the backcountry. Travel using normal caution. The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. 

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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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More wind today and tonight should not form snowdrifts since very little soft snow exists to blow around. However, this wind will continue to sculpt the snow in exposed areas. The uneven and variable snow surfaces and an ever-increasing number of rocks, stumps, logs, and other obstacles make backcountry travel difficult. Falls and collisions with these obstacles could damage equipment and injure people. Moving at slower speeds on more mellow terrain and being observant can make avoiding obstacles easier and snow travel more fun. With snow forecasted to return soon, it would be a terrible time to get injured.

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* A mostly supportable snowpack 1-2 ft. deep exists on northerly aspects above 8600 ft. in the Mt. Rose area, above 7000 ft. along the northern Sierra Crest, and above 8000 ft. along the southern Sierra Crest. 

* The snow surface varies widely with wind-scoured and sculpted surfaces in exposed near and above treeline terrain. More sheltered areas hold a mix of firm melt-freeze snow, breakable crusts, and some areas of soft surface snow (near-surface facets) on sheltered northerly aspects. The near and below treeline northerly aspects hold the most snow. Significant snow-melt has occurred on the southerly aspects leaving exposed ground on many of these slopes.

* Since our last storm on Nov. 18, mostly clear skies, long cold nights, and low sun angles have allowed a layer of weak sugary snow (near-surface facets) to form on sheltered northerly aspects. Depending on how much snow accumulates on top of this potential weak layer during the upcoming storms, it may fail and avalanche activity could result. 

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Winds have shifted back to the SW and started to increase. These winds represent the first sign of a welcome change in the weather. Tonight and tomorrow should remain dry with only increased winds, but the forecast calls for some snow starting Friday night and continuing into Saturday morning. This weak system should start to break down the persistent dry pattern. 

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 26 to 32 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 42 to 48 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Shifting between NE and SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 16 to 19 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 36 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 14 to 17 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 39 to 44 deg. F. 18 to 24 deg. F. 34 to 39 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light becoming west around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph West around 10 mph
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Thursday Thursday Night Friday
Weather: Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 34 to 40 deg. F. 17 to 22 deg. F. 30 to 35 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Southeast up to 10 mph in the morning becoming west 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph. West 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 90 mph. West 20 to 35 mph. Gusts to 60 mph in the morning.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
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