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.

As the high pressure ridge continues to move slowly eastward, the winds should shift more to the south over the next 24 hrs. Some scattered high clouds could start to develop later today and tomorrow. The temperatures should start to cool off over the forecast area as well. The forecast calls for slightly colder daytime highs in the upper 30's to low 40's above 8000' and mid 40's between 7000' and 8000'.

Observations from across the forecast area show a stable snowpack in most areas. Some near surface facets exist on and just below the crusts on northerly aspects. Currently, these weak, sugary snow grains pose little threat to backcountry travelers; however, they could become a failure layer during the next storm cycle. Breakable crusts, supportable crusts, and wind affected snow exist on the the surface in most areas. Melt-freeze conditions, a shallow snowpack, and areas of exposed ground exist on southerly aspects. Yesterday on these southerly aspects below 8500', 1 to 3 inches of surface snow softened for a few hours around midday. These areas quickly refroze as soon as they lost direct sun. Overnight the snowpack continued to refreeze due to radiational cooling and below freezing air temperatures.

The weak January sun, easterly winds, cooler daytime temperatures, and a strong overnight refreeze will keep wet snow instabilities from forming again today. The softening and melting that occurs today should only involve to the top few inches of snow on southerly, sun-exposed aspects. This snow will only be soft for a short time before quickly refreezing once it is shaded. All avalanche activity will remain unlikely today.

The bottom line:

The avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Andy Anderson - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	32 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	41 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East to southeast
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	24 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	35 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	59 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:	Sunny with a few high clouds late in the day	Mostly clear	Mostly sunny with a few scattered high clouds
Temperatures:	41-48 deg. F.	19-29 deg. F.	41-48 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Southeast	Variable	South
Wind speed:	10 mph	Light	10 mph
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Monday:	Monday Night:	Tuesday:
Weather:	Sunny with a few high clouds late in the day	Mostly clear	Mostly sunny with a few scattered high clouds
Temperatures:	37-44 deg. F.	23-29 deg. F.	36-43 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Southeast	South	South
Wind speed:	15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph	10-15 mph with gusts to 35 mph decreasing to 25 mph after midnight	10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.