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.

A cold front is moving through the forecast area today. Increasing cloud cover and a few isolated snow showers occurred overnight. A band a higher intensity snowfall is expected to move through the forecast area around mid day. This band is forecast to produce snowfall at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour for 1 to 2 hours. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is expected. Air temperatures this morning are in the 20s in most locations, with low 30s at the mountain valley floors. Ridgetop winds increased from moderate to strong in speed overnight and shifted from southwest to west. Wind speeds are expected to remain strong through this evening.

Recent observations from around the forecast area indicate that new snow from last week has stabilized. On southerly aspects, the recent new snow has become corn snow. On northerly aspects, significant settlement has occurred, leaving a mix of shallow unconsolidated snow well bonded to a melt-freeze crust below. Some areas of breakable crust have formed on the snow surface on northerly aspects below 7,500' to 8,000'. Overnight, air temperature below freezing have allowed areas where wet surface snow formed yesterday to refreeze.

Today, below freezing air temperature and cloud cover are expected to keep snow surface melting to a minimum. Many areas on southerly aspects are expected to remain frozen all day. The expected short period of snowfall may create some isolated pockets of wind loading in lee areas near and above treeline. These pockets will generally be found below existing cornice features. Due to limited new snow amounts, any areas of instability that form are expected to remain very small, not posing a significant threat to backcountry travelers.

The bottom line:

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

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

Weather Observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft and 8800 ft:

0600 temperature:	24 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	39 to 42 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	Southwest shifting to west.
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	30 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	66 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	0 to trace inches
Total snow depth:	136 inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast - Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy to cloudy skies. Scattered snow showers in the morning then numerous snow showers in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies with numerous snow showers in the evening, becoming scattered after midnight.	Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers.
Temperatures:	27 to 33 deg. F.	6 to 13 deg. F.	26 to 33 deg. F.
Wind direction:	W	N	N
Wind speed:	20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.	15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Gusts decreasing to 35 mph after midnight.	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	1 to 3 in.	1 to 3 in.	0 to trace in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Tuesday:	Tuesday Night:	Wednesday:
Weather:	Mostly cloudy to cloudy skies. Scattered snow showers in the morning then numerous snow showers in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies with numerous snow showers in the evening, becoming scattered after midnight.	Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers.
Temperatures:	21 to 27 deg. F.	6 to 12 deg. F.	22 to 30 deg. F.
Wind direction:	W	N	N
Wind speed:	20 to 35 mph with gusts to 65 mph.	20 to 30 mph with gusts to 60 mph. Gusts decreasing to 35 mph after midnight.	15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph in the afternoon.
Expected snowfall:	1 to 3 in.	1 to 3 in.	0 to trace in.