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.

The most recent storm system that affected the forecast area over the past two days is winding down. The far southern portion of the forecast area saw the greatest snowfall accumulations. Storm totals are running 4 to 7 inches in the northern portion of the forecast area and increase further south with 14 inches of new snow in the Ebbetts Pass area. Lingering snow showers continue over much of the forecast area this morning. Decreasing snow showers and sun breaks are expected as the day progresses. Ridgetop winds shifted from south to northeast around midnight last night and continue this morning. Ridgetop winds are moderate in speed.

Yesterday, observations made on Mt. Judah (Donner Summit area) and on Blood's Ridge (Bear Valley/ Ebbetts Pass area) both indicated good bonding of new snow to the old snow surface. Very limited instability was observed within the new snow. Some very small slabs measuring about 2m x 1m (6' x 3') were noted in the most heavily wind affected areas. In most areas, only small human triggered sluffs were observed to occur within the new snow on steep terrain.

Overnight, moderate speed northeast winds are expected to have redistributed snow in near and above treeline areas. Expect scouring to have occurred on N-NE-E aspects and new wind loading in lee areas, mainly on S-SW-W aspects. Additional cross loading in expected to have occurred on NW and SE aspects. Today, small slabs will exist in lee areas on steep slopes in near and above treeline areas on a variety of aspects. Below treeline and in other wind protected areas, bonding within the new snow will have continued to gain strength overnight. Minimal instability is expected in these areas today. In general, more significant snowpack instability is expected today in the southern portion of the forecast area where new snowfall amounts are greater. A more stable snowpack will exist in the northern portion of the forecast area where new snowfall amounts are less.

The bottom line:

Near and above treeline avalanche danger is LOW with pockets of MODERATE danger on all aspects, 37 degrees and steeper. Below treeline, avalanche danger is LOW.

Brandon Schwartz - Avalanche Forecaster, Tahoe National Forest

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

0600 temperature:	21 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	30 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	South shifting to northeast
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	25 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	62 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	4-14 inches
Total snow depth:	72 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Snow showers in the morning becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon	Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers becoming partly cloudy after midnight	Partly cloudy in the morning then cloudy with a chance of snow in the afternoon
Temperatures:	25-32 deg. F.	18-24 deg. F.	29-36 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Northeast	Northeast	Southeast shifting to southwest
Wind speed:	10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph increasing to 40 mph in the afternoon	10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph	10 mph increasing to 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph
Expected snowfall:	up to 3 in.	trace in.	trace in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Saturday:	Saturday Night:	Sunday:
Weather:	Snow showers in the morning becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon	Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers becoming partly cloudy after midnight	Partly cloudy in the morning then cloudy with a chance of snow in the afternoon
Temperatures:	20-27 deg. F.	15-22 deg. F.	24-31 deg. F.
Wind direction:	Northeast	Northeast	Southwest
Wind speed:	20-30 mph with gusts to 60 mph	15-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph	15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph increasing to 30-40 mph with gusts to 65 mph
Expected snowfall:	up to 3 in.	trace in.	trace in.