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.

Clear skies and cold air are in place over the forecast area this morning. High clouds are expected to build as the day progresses, ahead of a storm system slated to pass by to the north tomorrow. Ridgetop winds have shifted from E to SE to W overnight and become light.

Yesterday, observations made on Hidden Peak (West Shore Lake Tahoe) revealed faceting of new snow directly above the Jan. 2nd rain crust. Stability tests revealed moderate force shears on this layer. Ski cuts on steeper N-NE-E aspects below treeline where this crust existed in the 6,600' to 8,200' elevation range produced only very minor sluffing. On Rubicon Peak (West Shore Lake Tahoe), similar near crust faceting was noted. Ski cuts on some steep N aspect slope convexities below treeline produced very small avalanches with crown heights of 4 inches. The failure layer was identified as a layer of rimed needle crystals within the Jan. 2nd snowfall. On Incline Lake Peak (Mount Rose area), a similar snowpack structure of new snow on top of a supportable rain crust was identified. Moderate force shears were noted at the interface between the new snow and rain crust near treeline on a NNE aspect. Near crust faceting is suspected, but was not reported. All snowpack instabilities observed or reported yesterday occurred within the top 6 inches of the snowpack.

Today, generally stable conditions will exist. Instabilities observed yesterday that were associated with new snow forms such as needle, graupel, or rimed crystals are expected to have increased in bond strength over the past 24 hours. Failure of the snowpack on these layers is unlikely today. Small human triggered avalanches are unlikely but not impossible in areas where yesterday's east winds formed hard slabs above treeline on steep N-NE-E aspects. Beware of hollow sounding, supportable slabs. Very steep, wind protected areas in the 7,500' to 8,000' elevation range where several inches of new snow sits on top of the Jan 2nd rain crust and near crust facets could also produce an isolated and unlikely but not impossible small human triggered avalanche. Use good travel habits to minimize risk.

The bottom line:

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely but not impossible. Isolated areas of instability may exist.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	14 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	18 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East, shifting clockwise to west.
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	25 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	65 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	55 to 65 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Sunny with increasing high clouds in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies.	Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers.
Temperatures:	18 to 23 deg. F.	Steady in the 20s. deg. F.	32 to 38 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Variable	SE shifting to SW after midnight.	SW
Wind speed:	Up to 10 mph	10 to 15 mph	10 to 20 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	0 to 1 in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Sunday:	Sunday Night:	Monday:
Weather:	Sunny with increasing high clouds in the afternoon.	Cloudy skies.	Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers.
Temperatures:	20 to 25 deg. F.	Steady in the 20s. deg. F.	30 to 35 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Variable	SE shifting to SW after midnight.	W
Wind speed:	Up to 10 mph	Increasing to 10 to 20 with gusts to 35 mph after midnight.	20 to 35 mph with gusts to 70 mph.
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	0 to 1 in.