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

This advisory was posted on January 2, 2008 6:46 AM
Click here for a detailed map of the SAC forecast area

low avalanche danger
Today's Advisory:

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised.

An air temperature inversion is in place over the forecast area at this time. Another round of colder temperatures on the valley floor and warmer temperatures at mountain top level evident on the remote sensors this morning. Air temperatures climbed into the 40s in most locations yesterday, with colder air remaining trapped in a few valley locations. Above freezing air temperatures are expected again today in most areas. Ridgetop winds are moderate from the southwest ahead of a series of significant storms that are expected to impact the forecast area starting late Thursday.

An overall stable snowpack exists throughout the forecast area. Around 2 to 3 feet of snow is on the ground on NW-N-NE-E aspects above 6,500' to 7,000' in most areas. A basal layer of faceted snow crystals exists at the ground in all areas. Along the Sierra Crest, zero to 2 crust layers exist near the surface, created by melt-freeze conditions and the spotty Dec. 28 rain event. On SE-S-SW-W aspects, the snowpack is shallow following repeated wind scouring and periods of melting.

The most enjoyable snow surface conditions are still found on treed north aspects above 7,000'. A mix of melt-freeze crusts and hard wind scoured snow surfaces are found in most other areas. Expect a significant change in conditions over the next few days.

The bottom line: Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Normal caution is advised.

Please send us your snow, weather, and avalanche observations by clicking the submit observations link on our contact page.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 34 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 43 deg. F
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Southwest
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 19 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 49 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 31 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Considerable high clouds, thickening in the afternoon.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 38 to 43 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Southwest at 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, considerable high clouds, thickening in the afternoon. Daytime highs 43 to 48 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, mostly cloudy skies with overnight lows 32 to 37 deg. F. Southwest winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

For Thursday, cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 32 to 37 deg. F. South winds at 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, considerable high clouds, thickening during the afternoon. Daytime highs 38 to 43 deg. F. Southwest winds at 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, mostly cloudy skies with overnight lows 27 to 32 deg. F. Southwest winds at 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 80 mph.

For Thursday, cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Daytime highs 27 to 32 deg. F. Southwest winds at 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 95 mph.

The bottom line:

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

Weather Observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft and 8800 ft:

0600 temperature:	deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast - Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Wednesday:	Wednesday Night:	Thursday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Wednesday:	Wednesday Night:	Thursday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.