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 19, 2008 6:50 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.

A change in the weather is expected today as a weak storm system moves in off of the Pacific Ocean. After a period of sun breaks and warming this morning, increasing cloud cover and a chance of snow is expected this afternoon. Snowfall is expected to increase during the overnight hours. Remote sensors are reporting air temperatures near or below freezing this morning, with the coldest temperatures observed at the upper elevations. Skies have been fairly clear of cloud cover overnight. Ridetop winds have increased from light to moderate speed overnight and have remained from the southwest for the past 24 hours.

The surface snow on southerly aspects that melted yesterday is expected to have refrozen in all areas overnight. A period of surface snow melting is expected this morning on southerly aspects. Cooler air temperatures, afternoon cloud cover, and a chance of snow showers will limit the amount of wet surface snow that forms today. When the approaching weak weather system arrives this afternoon, surface melting is expected to slow or stop with refreeze occurring during the late day and overnight hours. The snowpack on northerly aspects continues to remain cold, well bonded, and unaffected by melt-freeze conditions. Wind affected snow surfaces of various degrees of consolidation are found on northerly aspects in most areas.

Any areas of wet snow that form today on southerly aspects will not involve enough snow to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. Any new snow that accumulates this afternoon in expected to be minimal and not cause an increase in avalanche danger today. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely at this time in all areas.

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): 26 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: 14 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 43 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 79 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow this afternoon.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 32 to 38 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Southwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: trace to 3 inches
2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the afternoon. Daytime highs 39 to 45 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Overnight lows 19 to 25 deg. F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

For Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the morning. Slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Daytime highs 31 to 37 deg. F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the afternoon. Daytime highs 32 to 38 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, cloudy skies with snow. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Overnight lows around 18 deg. F. West winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Gusts increasing to 50 mph after midnight.

For Wednesday, mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the morning. Slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Daytime highs 22 to 30 deg. F. Northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 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:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.