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 9, 2008 6:41 AM

A map of the SAC forecast area is available on our home page.

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Today's Advisory:

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

Sunny skies and maximum daytime air temperatures 10 degrees warmer than yesterdays highs are expected across the forecast today. Remote sensors at all elevations are reporting below freezing air temperatures at all elevations under clear skies this morning. Ridgetop winds have shifted to the east overnight and have become light.

Yesterday, cooler air temperatures kept snow surface melting to a minimum is areas above 8,500'. Observations made on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose area) revealed significant melting of surface snow below 8,500' on E aspects by mid morning and spreading to SE-S-SW-W aspects by late day. Northerly aspects continue to hold a mix of wind affected, lightly crusted, and/or faceted snow crystals at the surface. Overall good layer bonding has been observed within the deeper snowpack over the past 1.5 weeks on all aspects at all elevations. Clear skies and radiational cooling are expected to have caused a strong overnight refreeze of surface snow that melted yesterday.

Today, warmer air temperatures and light ridgetop winds are expected to cause widespread melting of surface snow on sun exposed slopes at all elevations. Areas of wet snow instability are expected to develop as daytime warming occurs. Natural avalanches are unlikely today. Human triggered avalanches will become possible, especially late in the day on steep E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.

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

Public donations to the avalanche center this season are below our fundraising goal. We are going to raffle a beacon, shovel, probe, and backpack package as a way give back to those who donate $100 or more before March 30th. For more information on the raffle and amount of donations received click here.

Brandon Schwartz, Avalanche Forecaster

Today's Central Sierra Weather Observations:
0600 temperature at Sierra Crest (8,700 feet): 23 deg. F
Max. temperature at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 29 to 39 deg. F.
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: West shifting to east
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 28 mph.
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 67 mph
New snowfall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 82 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Sunny skies and warmer.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 39 to 43 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: East at 10 to 15 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 43 to 49 deg. F. East winds up to 10 mph.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 26 to 36 deg. F. Light winds are expected.

For Monday, variable high clouds and mostly cloudy at times. Daytime highs 47 to 53 deg. F. Light winds becoming southwest around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 39 to 43 deg. F. East winds at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight, clear skies with overnight lows 29 to 35 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph.

For Monday, variable high clouds and mostly cloudy at times. Daytime highs 43 to 49 deg. F. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon.

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.