THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON December 6, 2020 @ 6:49 am
Avalanche Forecast published on December 5, 2020 @ 6:49 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

Backcountry travel in the shallow early season snowpack means dealing with highly variable snow surface conditions and numerous exposed and barely covered obstacles. Travel using normal caution. The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. 

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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Avalanche activity remains unlikely. The variable snow surfaces and the many exposed and barely covered trees, stumps, rocks, logs, etc make finding consistent conditions for snow travel challenging right now. Moving at slower speeds on more mellow terrain and being observant can help avoid obstacles and make snow travel more fun. Scouting approaches to places worth visiting in a deeper snowpack can make those trips easier when the time comes. Now is also a great time to brush up on companion rescue skills or practice identifying potential avalanche terrain and safe zones/routes. 

recent observations
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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 snowpack remains about 1-2 feet deep and mostly supportable. The snow surface varies widely. More sun-exposed easterly aspects hold frozen crusts in the morning and soft wet sticky snow if the crusts melt during daytime warming. Significant snow-melt has occurred on the southerly aspects leaving exposed ground on many of these slopes. On slopes exposed to the winds, uneven scoured and wind packed surfaces exist. Moving into more sheltered areas these firm surfaces give way to breakable crusts. On the most sheltered northerly facing slopes, some areas of soft surface snow still linger (near-surface facets). Clear cool nights will allow these facets to continue to weaken while warmer weather will slow the process down. Problematic weak layers have grown during dry spells in the past and only time will tell if the facets growing now will become a problem layer in the future.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Upper elevation temperatures remained warm again last night with all the cold air sinking into the valleys. This temperature inversion should lift as the day warms up. A low pressure passing through northern CA should bring some increased SW winds and cooler temperatures tonight and tomorrow. Some cloud cover should also accompany this system but precipitation chances look minimal with only an outside chance for a dusting of snow north of I-80.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 35 to 40 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 42 to 49 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: Variable
Average ridgetop wind speed: 5 to 15 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 29 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 14 to 18 inches
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS
For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy then becoming clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy then becoming sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 43 to 48 deg. F. 26 to 32 deg. F. 38 to 43 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds. Light winds becoming southwest around 15 mph after midnight. Gusts up to 30 mph. Light winds. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning.
Expected snowfall: No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none. No accumulation. | SWE = none.
For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.
Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
Weather: Sunny. Snow levels below 7000 feet increasing to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Mostly cloudy then becoming clear. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Snow levels below 7000 feet. Chance of precipitation is 5%.
Temperatures: 39 to 45 deg. F. 25 to 30 deg. F. 34 to 40 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Light winds becoming southwest around 15 mph in the afternoon. Southwest around 15 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph after midnight. Gusts up to 55 mph. Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the morning becoming light.
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