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 stable weather pattern persists across the forecast area with clear skies and air temperature inversion. Warm air exists at the mid and upper elevations while cold air remains trapped on the mountain valley floors. Remote sensors are reporting air temperatures above 6,800' in the upper 20s to upper 30s this morning while the mountain valley floors are reporting single digits. Ridgetop winds decreased over the past 24 hours. Wind are forecast to remain light in speed out of the east today, tonight, and tomorrow.

Recent Observations:

Observations made around the forecast area over the past several days have revealed lingering hard wind slabs formed during recent NE winds and areas of wet surface snow that forms in response to daytime warming. Observations made yesterday on Rose Knob Peak (Mount Rose area) fell right in line with winds slabs in lee areas that continued to show unstable snowpit test results, but were otherwise stubborn and very difficult to trigger. One to three inches of wet surface snow had formed on S-SE aspects by 1 pm, but no significant amount of wet snow instability was observed (photo, more info).

Avalanche Problem #1: Wind Slabs

Wind slabs that formed out of the recent NE wind event linger in near treeline and above treeline areas. Triggering has become difficult and unlikely, but is not impossible. The most well developed wind slabs exist on SW-W-NW aspects. Wind slabs exist sporadically on other aspects as well. NE aspects are the only areas that seem entirely free of wind slabs. These slabs sit on top of thin layers of significantly lower density snow and/or thin melt freeze crust. These slabs are high density, allowing for less than one inch of surface penetration by boots, skis, and snowmobiles. Due to the hard slab characteristics, any avalanches involving these slabs could be triggered once an individual is well out onto the slab, possibly fracturing well above and to the side of the individual. These hard slabs may support the passage of several individuals prior to failing. Even though at this time triggering had become unlikely, the characteristics of this avalanche problem warrant continued caution.

Avalanche Problem #2: Loose Wet Avalanches:

Warm air temperatures around the clock at the mid and upper elevations are keeping overnight snow surface refreeze to a minimum. Refreeze that does occur is reliant entirely on radiational cooling. While a few inches of wet surface snow will form on SE-S-SW aspects in response to daytime warming, minimal instability is expected. The amount of incoming solar radiation and angle of the sun is still fairly low when compared to conditions during the month of March. While isolated loose wet snow avalanches are possible today on SE-S-SW aspects, their size is not expected to pose a significant threat to backcountry travelers.

The bottom line:

On a regional scale avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects as human triggered avalanches have become unlikely. Isolated areas of unstable hard wind slabs remain possible in near and above treeline terrain. 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:	32 to 38 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	39 to 53 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	18 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	29 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	60 to 84 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny skies.	Clear skies.	Sunny skies.
Temperatures:	43 to 49 deg. F.	On the peaks 25 to 35 deg F. | In the valleys 5 to 15 deg. F.	43 to 49 deg. F.
Wind direction:	E	E	E
Wind speed:	5 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light.	Light winds becoming 5 to 15 mph after midnight.	5 to 15 mph in the morning, becoming light.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny skies.	Clear skies.	Sunny skies.
Temperatures:	43 to 49 deg. F.	26 to 34 deg. F.	43 to 49 deg. F.
Wind direction:	E	E	E
Wind speed:	10 to 20 mph in the morning, becoming light.	Light winds becoming 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph after midnight.	10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the morning, becoming light.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.