How to Read the Avalanche Forecast
The avalanche forecast is an essential tool for planning a safe and enjoyable trip into the backcountry. Avalanche forecasts provide information on the expected snowpack, weather, and avalanche conditions for a specific timeframe (usually 24 hours) and area. The avalanche forecast provides a starting point for terrain choices and decision making, but it cannot make decsions for you. Users have to continually assess the terrain and conditions while they travel to refine their plan and decisions. This process takes, training, skill, and experience.
The avalanche forecast is designed for people who have taken at least an avalanche awareness class or preferably an avalanche Level 1 course. We don't expect a first-time user to understand the contents of a forecast completely. This page explains the basic concepts of the forecast and how to read it.
The Bottom Line:
This section summarizes what the danger is, where it is, and how you can reduce your exposure. It uses concise and basic language to describe the general picture for the day. Even if you haven't taken a formal avalanche course, this section should provide a basic and easy to understandy summary. The rest of the forecast gives more specific avalanche information you will need for more specific trip planning decisions. For a tutorial on danger ratings, click HERE.
The Mountain Graphic:
This graphic provides a general overview of the avalanche danger by elevation. It also shows the expected danger ratings for the next day. These sometimes change, so checking the forecast every day before you go out is always important.
The Avalanche Problems:
Below these sections, you will find the avalanche problems for the day. These have a series of symbols and graphics above a description to help explain the avalanche problem and help you remember it while making decisions in the field. This section may also include photos as examples of the problem.
The icons above the text in this section show:
- The avalanche type (Icon)
- Where you'll find that problem (aspect and elevation rose)
- How likely you are to trigger it (Likelihood slider)
- How big the potential avalanche will be (Size Slider)
