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 high pressure ridge over the west coast will allow the clear sunny weather to continue through the weekend. The east winds that have remained stubbornly strong for the last several days should finally begin to decrease this afternoon. As the ridge moves slowly eastward over the area, the wind should shift towards the south and west tonight and tomorrow. Temperatures today and tomorrow should climb into the upper 30's and low 40's above 7000 ft.

Recent Observations:

Conditions similar to those on Red Lake Peak existed yesterday on Castle Peak (snowpit, more info). 2-4 inches of soft corn snow formed on S-SE aspects in areas sheltered from the strong east winds. In areas exposed to the strong east winds the snow surface remained mostly frozen even on the sunny southerly aspects. Below the surface on these southerly aspects a thick layer of firm melt freeze snow exists. The snow surface on the open and exposed NW-N-NE-E aspects in this area consisted of old scoured crusts and firm wind packed surfaces. On sheltered northerly aspects on Castle Peak, some soft unconsolidated snow remains on top of the crusts. Below these crusts a layer of weak sugary snow (facets) does exist. Tests on this layer indicated that if this layer breaks, the resulting fracture should not travel very far. 

Avalanche Concerns:

Avalanche activity will remain unlikely. More sunshine and warm air temperatures should allow soft wet corn snow to form on some of the sun exposed SE-S-SW aspects today. The continued strong east winds should prevent widespread pervasive melting and softening again today. These winds may again keep some of the more exposed SE-S-SW aspects frozen. In the unlikely event that wet snow instabilities do form today, they should remain limited to small roller balls and small isolated point releases.

The bottom line:

The avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Continue to 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:	24-32 deg. F.
Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:	32-42 deg. F.
Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:	East
Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:	25-35 mph
Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:	47-59 mph
New snowfall in the last 24 hours:	O inches
Total snow depth:	55-80 inches

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

For 7000-8000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny	Clear	Sunny
Temperatures:	38-46 deg. F.	25-33 deg. F.	39-47 deg. F.
Wind direction:	East	South	West
Wind speed:	25-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph decreasing to 10-15 mph in the afternoon	Light increasing to 10-15 mph after midnight	15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.
For 8000-9000 ft:
	Friday:	Friday Night:	Saturday:
Weather:	Sunny	Clear	Sunny
Temperatures:	35-42 deg. F.	23-31 deg. F.	34-41 deg. F.
Wind direction:	East	South	West
Wind speed:	30-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph decreasing to 10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon	15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph	20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph
Expected snowfall:	O in.	O in.	O in.