THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON February 28, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Avalanche Forecast published on February 27, 2020 @ 6:40 am
Issued by Brandon Schwartz - Tahoe National Forest

Loose wet avalanches will be possible today in sun exposed areas during the late morning and afternoon hours due to weaker refreeze conditions and increased snow surface melt. MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations.

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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Air temperature inversion conditions kept overnight lows well above freezing last night in most locations at the mid and upper elevations. Skies were clear so a decent, but likely superficial snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred from radiational cooling of the snowpack last night. By the late morning hours, this surface refreeze will be gone in sun exposed areas and a loose wet avalanche problem will exist for the rest of the day. Avalanche size is expected mostly at D1 with up to size D2 possible in areas where the upper snowpack is less consolidated.

Monitor snow surface melt throughout the day. The wetter and softer the upper snowpack becomes, the more likely it is for loose wet avalanches to occur. Once surface snow is more than a couple of inches deep, it’s time to exit avalanche terrain or move to an aspect with a firmer snow surface. Small loose wet avalanches could still have undesirable consequences in our relatively thin snow cover conditions as there are plenty of obstacles and hazards to hit.

recent observations
Submit Observations

* Observations made yesterday on Jake's Peak (West Shore Tahoe area) showed that increased warming and snow surface melt on mid and upper elevation E aspects created conditions more conducive to loose wet avalanches that what has occurred over the past couple of weeks. Despite all of the warm weather in recent weeks, there are many areas on E aspects where the upper portion of the snowpack has yet to become a consolidated, springtime melt-freeze snowpack.

* SE-S-SW aspects hold the most consolidated and well established melt-freeze snowpack conditions.

* NW-N-NE aspects remain highly variable, ranging from firm to soft with surface conditions ranging from ice to surface facets.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure is in place over the forecast area for clear skies, light winds, and warm air temperatures today. This high pressure will begin to weaken tomorrow and move to the east as low pressure approaches the region. This will allow for partly cloudy skies and some light to moderate speed SW winds on Friday with continued warm air temperatures. A storm system is then expected to impact the forecast area bringing snowfall Saturday night into Sunday. A gale force NE wind event is forecast for Sunday night. 

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 36 to 42 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 41 to 50 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: SW
Average ridgetop wind speed: 14 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 38 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 37 to 47 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. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 49 to 55. deg. F. 25 to 31. deg. F. 49 to 55. deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds. Light winds. Light winds becoming southwest around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon.
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: Sunny. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Clear. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Partly cloudy. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 43 to 51. deg. F. 23 to 29. deg. F. 43 to 49. deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Light winds. Light winds. Southwest 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 45 mph in the afternoon.
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