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 3, 2008 6:47 AM
Click here for a detailed map of the SAC forecast area

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Today's Advisory:

This morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE danger will develop on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, 37 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming.

An air temperature inversion has set up over the forecast area this morning. Remote sensors above 8,000' report cooling through the evening hours and warming air temperatures after midnight. Most locations above 8,000' are reporting above freezing air temperatures at 6 am this morning. Ridgetop winds have became light during the early morning hours and are forecast to remain light today.

Yesterday, strong east winds and cool air temperatures kept the snowpack on southerly aspects frozen in areas above 7,000 to 7,500'. An isolated report of blowing snow was received from the south end of the Carson Range at Heavenly Ski Area. No other areas of blowing snow were observed or reported. Recent observations from a variety of locations around the forecast area show a well bonded snowpack on northerly aspects at all elevations. Snow surface conditions consist of melt-freeze snow on southerly aspects. Northerly aspects consist mainly of wind affected or lightly crusted surface snow. Isolated pockets of unconsolidated surface snow linger in shaded and wind protected areas.

Today, air temperatures are expected to rise well above freezing in most locations. Areas of wet snow instability are expected to form on steep sun exposed slopes, especially below 8,500'. Above freezing air temperatures at the upper elevations observed prior to sunrise this morning will cause snow surfaces to melt quickly. Some newly formed and sensitive slabs may exist on west aspects in and around the south end of the Carson range. Natural avalanche activity is unlikely today. Human triggered avalanches will become possible on steep sun exposed slopes as the day progresses.

The bottom line: This morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE danger will develop on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, 37 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming.

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 to 37 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 34 to 37 deg. F.
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: East
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 43 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 97 mph
New snow fall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 85 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Sunny and warmer.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 36 to 43 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: Southwest around 10 mph
Snowfall expected in the next 24 hours: 0 inches

2 Day Mountain Weather Forecast:

7000 to 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 41 to 47 deg. F. Light winds becoming southwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows 19 to 29 deg. F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight.

For Tuesday, sunny skies with daytime highs 38 to 45 deg. F. Light winds becoming east around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 36 to 43 deg. F. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies with overnight lows 25 to 32 deg. F. West winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight.

For Tuesday, sunny skies with daytime highs 34 to 40 deg. F. Northeast winds up to 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:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:
Temperatures:	deg. F.	deg. F.	deg. F.
Wind direction:
Wind speed:
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.