THIS AVALANCHE FORECAST EXPIRED ON March 13, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Avalanche Forecast published on March 12, 2020 @ 6:59 am
Issued by Andy Anderson - Tahoe National Forest - Sierra Avalanche Center

While significant avalanche activity should remain unlikely today, some small wet snow instabilities are not impossible as the day warms up on isolated terrain features especially in areas where more snow accumulated during the last storm. LOW avalanche danger exists 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: Loose Wet
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Clear skies, continued cooling by ENE winds, and near-freezing temperatures should have allowed most of yesterday's wet snow to refreeze overnight. As soon as the sun hits the slopes today, this refrozen snow will start to soften. Wet surface snow will form first on E-SE aspects then progress to S-SW-W aspects as the day warms up. The recent snow will be most sensitive to warming since it has not been through as many melt-freeze cycles. In most places, limited amounts of recent snow exist on these aspects so wet snow instabilities should remain small with roller balls or pinwheels predominating. In areas north of Tahoe City along the Sierra Crest where more recent snow accumulated, a small sluff of loose wet snow is not impossible on an isolated near or below treeline terrain feature. At upper elevations, cool NE winds should help limit the amount of wet surface snow formation.

Finishing backcountry travel in time for a lunch date or going to shaded northerly aspects to search for lingering pockets of cold snow will help find better snow and will limit potential exposure to an isolated and unlikely but not impossible loose wet avalanche. Watch for changing snow conditions as the day warms up and travel using normal caution in the backcountry.

recent observations
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* Yesterday observations on Castle Peak and in the Ophir Creek area revealed variable conditions on northerly aspects with breakable crusts, firm scoured surfaces, wet sticky snow, and some cold soft snow. The cold soft snow existed on sheltered upper elevation slopes facing due north.

* Observers reported soft wet surface snow and small wet snow instabilities that did not progress beyond a few small roller balls, pinwheels, and one very small wet snow sluff on Castle Peak yesterday.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

High pressure over the region will allow the warming trend to continue today and tomorrow with sunny skies and daytime highs climbing a few degrees each day. The forecast also calls for light to moderate winds out of the NE today. By tomorrow the winds should shift to the SW and start increasing ahead of a strong winter storm approaching the area for the weekend. For more details on this storm check in with the Reno NWS.

CONDITIONS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST BETWEEN 8200 FT. AND 9200 FT. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
Weather Station Map
Weather Station Table
6am temperature: 30 to 34 deg. F.
Max. temperature: 41 to 49 deg. F.
Average ridgetop wind direction: ENE
Average ridgetop wind speed: 10 to 20 mph
Maximum ridgetop wind gust: 62 mph
New snowfall: 0 inches
Total snow depth: 35 to 48 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%. Sunny. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 46 to 52 deg. F. 25 to 31 deg. F. 48 to 54 deg. F.
Mid Slope Winds: Light winds becoming northeast around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph. Light winds. Light winds becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 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%. Sunny. Chance of precipitation is 0%.
Temperatures: 39 to 47 deg. F. 22 to 27 deg. F. 42 to 48 deg. F.
Ridge Top Winds: Northeast 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Northeast around 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Light winds becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 50 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