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 March 2, 2008 6:40 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.

High pressure continues to build over the forecast area. East winds have unexpectedly increased during the overnight hours and remain moderate to strong across the forecast area this morning. Cloud cover decreased overnight and will allow for sunny skies today. Air temperatures are in the single digits and teens this morning above 8,000'. Below freezing air temperatures have been reported in all locations within the forecast area this morning. Another day of cool air temperatures is expected before more substantial warming affects the area on Monday.

Yesterday, snowpit observations made at 8,200' on a north aspect in the Blue Lakes area (South of Carson Pass) showed continued settlement and increasing layer bond strength within the snowpack. Informal observations made in the same general area between 7,000' and 9,000' on all other aspects supported these findings. Snow surface conditions consist of melt-freeze snow on the majority of aspects at all elevations. Pockets of unconsolidated, wind affected snow linger on shaded northerly aspects above 8,000'.

Air temperatures are expected to remain near or below freezing today at all but the lowest elevations. The snow surface in areas affected by melt-freeze conditions is expected to remain supportive today. Daytime warming is not expected to cause areas of wet snow instability to develop. With little to no snow available for wind transport, no new slab formation is not expected in leeward areas. Natural and human triggered avalanche activity is unlikely today.

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

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): 13 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 26 deg. F.
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Southwest shifting to east
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 45 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 98 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 to trace inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 86 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Sunny skies.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 24 to 30 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: East at 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph, decreasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 27 to 37 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 23 to 33 deg. F. Southeast winds at 10 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.

For Monday, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs 44 to 50 deg. F. Light winds becoming southwest at 10 mph in the afternoon.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 24 to 30 deg. F. East winds at 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 70 mph, decreasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 24 to 30 deg. F. Air temperatures increasing to 32 to 37 degrees after midnight. East winds at 10 mph.

For Monday, partly cloudy skies with daytime highs 39 to 45 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 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:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.