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 February 14, 2008 7:00 AM
Click here for a detailed map of the SAC forecast area

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Today's Advisory:

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

Cold air associated with the passage of a weak weather system through the forecast area has cooled air temperatures significantly over the past 24 hours. Remote sensors at mountain top level are reporting air temperatures in the single digits and low teens all across the area this morning. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds shifted to easterly yesterday afternoon and will continue today. Winds are expected to begin to decrease in speed this afternoon.

Any areas of melting snow that existed yesterday have refrozen. With air temperatures above 7,000' expected to remain below freezing today, little if any melting of surface snow will occur. Any areas of wet snow that form on southerly aspects at the lowest elevations are not expected to cause any degree of hazard to backcountry travelers. On northerly aspects, a very well bonded snowpack structure has been observed throughout the forecast area during the past week. Snow surface conditions on northerly aspects are wind scoured above treeline. Some pockets of unconsolidated surface snow exist in the most shaded and wind sheltered areas below treeline.

With minimal to no melting of surface snow expected today on southerly aspects and a well bonded snowpack structure on northerly aspects, natural and human triggered avalanche activity is unlikely.

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): 6 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 29 deg. F.
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: East
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 55 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 91 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 to trace inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 83 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Partly cloudy skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 18 to 23 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: East at 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 80 mph, decreasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 65 mph in the afternoon.
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches
2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs 25 to 31 deg. F. Northeast winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 14 to 20 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

For Friday, sunny skies with daytime highs around 43 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 15 mph.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs around 23 deg. F. East winds at 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 80 mph, decreasing 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 65 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 16 to 22 deg. F. East winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph.

For Friday, sunny skies with daytime highs around 40 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the morning.

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