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 April 3, 2008 7:10 AM

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

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Today's Advisory:

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

The weather system that passed to the south of the forecast area yesterday has moved off to the east leaving clear skies over the forecast area this morning. Only a trace of new snow fell within the forecast area yesterday. Ridgetop winds have shifted to the northeast overnight and are expected to remain light today.

Observations from around the forecast area indicate that snow surface conditions on all aspects consist of melt-freeze crusts. In some areas, 1 to 2 inches of unconsolidated snow sits on top of this melt-freeze crust. A few shallow pockets of wind loaded snow exist below ridgelines and in gully features on northerly aspects. This unconsolidated snow is well bonded to the crust below in all areas. Recent snowpit data indicates that the deeper snowpack consists of high density layers that are well bonded to one another on all aspects and at all elevations. Clearing skies overnight and below freezing air temperatures have allowed any wet surface snow that formed yesterday to refreeze at all elevations.

Today, clear skies, above freezing air temperatures and solar radiation will melt snow in sun exposed areas at all elevations. The greatest amount of melting will occur on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. On these aspects, well established melt water pathways exist. Any areas of wet snow instability that form today are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. Natural and human triggered avalanches remain unlikely at this time.

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

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: 38 deg. F.
Average wind direction at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: Southwest shifting to northeast
Average wind speed at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 13 mph
Maximum wind gust at Sierra Crest past 24 hours: 30 mph
New snowfall at 8,200 feet past 24 hours: 0 to trace inches
Total snow depth at 8,200 feet: 79 inches

Mountain Weather Forecast For Today:
Sunny and warmer.
Temperature forecast for 8,000 to 9,000 feet: 37 to 43 deg. F
Ridgetop winds forecast for the Sierra Crest: North at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 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 42 to 47 deg. F. North winds up to 10 mph.

Tonight, clear skies in the evening then increasing high clouds. Overnight lows 27 to 33 deg. F. Light winds expected.

For Friday, high clouds with daytime highs 48 to 54 deg. F. Light winds becoming southwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon.

Above 8000 Feet:
Today, sunny skies with daytime highs 37 to 43 deg. F. North winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

Tonight, clear skies in the evening then increasing high clouds. Overnight lows 25 to 30 deg. F. North winds around 10 mph shifting to west at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight.

For Friday, high clouds with daytime highs 44 to 48 deg. F. South winds at 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Winds shifting to southwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 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:
	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.