Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: Richfield, WI   Empire, CA   Uvalde, TX  
Current Alerts for Empire, CA: Flood Advisory

Avalanche Watch issued February 16 at 10:56AM PST by NWS Reno NV

AREAS AFFECTED: Greater Lake Tahoe Area; Greater Lake Tahoe Area

DESCRIPTION: AVAREV The following message is transmitted at the request of the U.S. Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center. The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Reno NV - NVZ002 (Greater Lake Tahoe)...CAZ072 (Greater Lake Tahoe (CA)) * WHAT...HIGH avalanche danger is anticipated in the backcountry Monday evening, lasting through Tuesday night, and possibly into Wednesday. * WHERE...Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. This applies only to backcountry areas, not to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation programs exist. * WHEN...In effect from Sun 07:45 PST to Tue 05:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A powerful storm with rapidly accumulating snowfall and strong winds may cause widespread avalanche activity in the mountains. Large avalanches capable of burying or injuring people could occur in backcountry areas. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions could occur in the backcountry. Traveling in, near, or below backcountry avalanche terrain during HIGH avalanche danger is not recommended. Consult https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

INSTRUCTION: N/A

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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

Sleet Next Topic: Snow

Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones, and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.

The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is freezing rain.

Next Topic: Snow

Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds

Stratocumulus Clouds Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.

A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a stratocumulus cloud.

It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do it is usually a light rain or snow.

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

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