UPDATED at 8:30 am.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations with MODERATE danger elsewhere due wind slabs and storm slabs. Large human triggered avalanches that run long distances and involve large amounts of snow are likely today and natural avalanches may remain possible this morning. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Identify where wind slabs and storm slabs exist and avoid them and their run out zones.

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists on wind loaded near and above treeline NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees due to lingering wind slabs. Depending on the amount of daytime warming that occurs today, enough wet snow may form on the E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees for the avalanche danger to rise to MODERATE on those slopes as well due to loose wet snow instabilities. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today.

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Small wind slabs may form today near and above treeline on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may form in response to daytime warming mainly on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches. Isolated loose wet instability may occur in some areas on NW-N-NE aspects as well.

Avalanche danger is low for all aspects and elevations through the early morning hours.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches.  Isolated loose wet instability may occur on some NW-N-NE aspects as well.

This morning the avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. MODERATE avalanche danger will form on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees as human triggered loose wet avalanches become possible. Some small isolated wet snow instabilities may also form on northerly aspects. Most loose wet snow instabilities should remain small today but some could be large enough to pose a danger to backcountry travelers especially on slopes that receive direct sun and less wind today. 

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger are exected to form at all elevations on SE-S-SW aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming. Isolated areas of loose wet instability may occur on W-NW-N-NE-E aspects as well.

Low avalanche danger exists through the early morning hours on all aspects and elevations.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet instabilities.

 

The avalanche danger will remain LOW today. As the day warms up, some small loose wet snow instabilities may still form on isolated terrain features below 8500 ft. on sun-exposed aspects, on slopes where wet snow exists on top of drier snow, or on slopes that receive rain today. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations today due to newly formed wind slabs on wind loaded slopes above 8000 ft. and rain on snow creating loose wet snow instabilities on slopes below 8000 ft. Human triggered avalanches will be possible today.

Expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly as the next storm impacts the region tonight. Periods of HIGH avalanche danger may occur tonight as natural wind slab avalanches and storm slab avalanches become likely after midnight. 

On the heels of another period of HIGH avalanche danger last night, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist today near and above treeline on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing wind slab formation. In wind protected areas below treeline, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to potential storm slabs. Large human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Natural avalanches are possible.

Moderate avalanche danger exists due to the possibility of wind slabs and loose wet avalanches.  Ongoing SW winds could continue to build wind slabs on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible throughout the day as temperatures warm and snow levels increase on all aspects below treeline.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify areas of concern.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches below 8500 ft. and wind slabs on near and above treeline W-NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects above 8500 ft. Some human triggered avalanches will be possible today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and identify areas where avalanche problems might exist.

HIGH avalanche danger is expected today near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper, especially along the Sierra Crest due to ongoing formation of wind slabs and storm slabs. For all other areas CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Natural and human triggered avalanches are expected today and should not be a surprise to backcountry travelers.Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Large destructive avalanches may occur.

Moderate avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to ongoing wind slab problems.  As daytime warming occurs, moderate avalanche danger will also become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations due to loose wet avalanches.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees as wet snow forms on these aspects due to daytime warming. Loose wet snow avalanches including roller balls, pinwheels, and point releases will be possible today. This warming will also weaken the large overhanging cornices that exist on the NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects along exposed ridgelines making it possible for them to fail as well. 

Daytime warming will create enough wet snow on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects for MODERATE avalanche danger to develop on slopes steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations. Loose wet snow avalanches including roller balls, pinwheels, and point releases will be possible today. Most of these loose wet snow instabilities should remain small, but some of them could entrain enough snow to pose a threat to backcountry travelers especially those that occur around terrain traps.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Wind slabs are building in near treeline and above treeline areas on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Rain on snow is keeping the possibility of loose wet avalanche activity ongoing. Increasing avalanche danger will occur this evening through the overnight hours with CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger expected and HIGH avalanche danger possible. The likelihood of natural and human triggered slab avalanches will steadily increase today and tonight.

As daytime warming occurs, moderate avalanche danger will become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations due to loose wet avalanche problems.  With overnight and continuing NE winds through today, wind slabs could exist and develop on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects near and above treeline.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern,

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning, but MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations as last night's refreeze melts. Loose wet avalanches will become possible due to daytime warming today. Enough warming may also occur on the low elevation NW-N-NE aspects for some loose wet activity as well. Some loose wet snow avalanches could entrain enough snow to pose a threat to backcountry travelers especially in areas where terrain traps exist.

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger are expected to form in response to daytime warming on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and on NW-N-NE aspects below 8,000' to 8,500'. Loose wet avalanches are possible today. Avalanche size could be large enough to bury a person, especially if a terrain trap is involved.

Moderate avalanche danger could exist on NE-E-SE-S-SW-W aspects near and above treeline due to newly forming wind slabs.  These wind slabs should be limited mainly north of Hwy 50 where we received more snow in the last 24 hours.  Loose wet avalanches are unlikely today but could occur if we receive large periods of sun and less cloud cover than forecasted.  Adjust terrain choices and route selection according to localized conditions.

Loose wet avalanches will become possible today due to daytime warming. MODERATE avalanche danger will form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and may form on some  below treeline NW-N-NE aspects. Clues like sinking into wet snow above your boot tops or small point releases, roller balls, or pinwheels can help determine when to move to more frozen aspects, onto lower angle slopes, or to switch to a different afternoon activity.

MODERATE avalanche danger will quickly form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and may form on some sun-exposed near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects as daytime warming makes loose wet avalanches possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist this morning and continue through the afternoon hours for all elevations and aspects on slope 35 degrees and steeper due to loose wet avalanche problems. Cloud cover last night is expected to have kept overnight snow surface refreeze from occurring in many areas. A period of LOW avalanche danger with supportable snow surface conditions may not exist this morning. A possible wet slab avalanche occurred yesterday in the Mount Rose area. Details are limited.

After a short window of LOW danger early this morning, MODERATE danger will form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations starting in the mid morning hours with the most sun-exposed aspects and progressing to other aspects during the day. Loose wet avalanches large enough to threaten backcountry travelers will be possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists. 

MODERATE danger already exists on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations due to the presence of unfrozen loose wet snow. MODERATE danger will persist throughout the day as more loose wet snow forms resulting from daytime warming and rain impacting the area. Loose wet avalanches large enough to threaten backcountry travelers will be possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists. 

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for all aspects below 9,000' on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing loose wet avalanche problems. The minimal amount of new snow that has deposited under light wind conditions over the upper elevations is not expected to have created new avalanche problems. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists.

Loose wet avalanches will remain possible all day today on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations. These loose wet avalanches will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE for today.  Some of the loose wet avalanches could involve enough snow to threaten backcountry travelers. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists. 

MODERATE avalanche danger could exist on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to a combination of wind slabs in near and above treeline areas and loose dry avalanches. Today's avalanche activity should remain small due to the amount of new snow, but some avalanches could cause problems for backcountry travelers especially north of Tahoe City or near terrain traps. If the sun breaks through the clouds, today some small isolated loose wet avalanches could occur on the near and below treeline SE-S-SW aspects. 

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form at all elevations and on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper as loose wet avalanche problems develop in response to daytime warming.

We have stopped issuing daily avalanche advisories for the 2015-2016 season. Avalanche advisories will resume in the fall of 2016.

Avalanche activity can and most likely will continue to occur this spring. This will occur with continued daily wet snow melt-freeze cycles and as additional storm cycles impact the forecast area. Continue to monitor changing conditions and use caution when traveling in the backcountry. For general spring avalanche information please read the full spring avalanche statement.

General Fall Avalanche Statement

As rain and high elevation snowfall return to the forecast area, an early season foray into or below snow covered avalanche terrain is not out of the question. Be smart, gear up, and take a strategic approach just as you would mid winter. Really, it is time to focus on continuing education and dusting off previously learned knowledge before winter really arrives. Daily avalanche advisories will resume in either November or December as conditions dictate.

Early Season Conditions Report #2

Very little snow currently exists throughout the forecast area for over the snow travel.  Daily avalanche advisories will resume in either late November or December as conditions dictate.  Be prepared for changing conditions and increasing avalanche danger as more storms impact our region.

This is a two day advisory, valid now through Thanksgiving Day. Avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects at elevations above 7,000' on slopes 30 to 35 degrees and steeper due to a mix of wind slabs, persistent slabs, and storm slabs. Large persistent slab avalanches are possible on true N aspects in the northern portion of the forecast area.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on N aspects steeper than 30 degrees in all terrain above 8000 ft. due to possible persistent slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger also exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due wind slabs. Large persistent slab avalanches are possible on true N aspects in the northern portion of the forecast area.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on N aspects steeper than 30 degrees above 8300 ft. along the Sierra Crest and above 9300 ft. in the Mt. Rose area due to a persistent slab problem. MODERATE danger also exists on wind loaded near and above treeline slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to wind slab problems. Wind slabs may exist on any aspect due to the changing winds today. 

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. A low likelihood, high consequence persistent slab avalanche problem remains on N aspects both above and below treeline in specific areas. Very isolated wind slabs may linger on any aspect in near and above treeline terrain.

Normal caution is advised for managing the wind slab problem. Extra caution and conservative terrain choices are advised for managing the persistent slab problem.

Low avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region on all aspects and elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  Use proper backcountry travel protocols to further reduce your risk while traveling through avalanche terrain.  Early season conditions exist in most areas.

LOW avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations. LOW danger does not mean "no danger" and small avalanches could still occur in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Practice safe backcountry travel habits like moving one at a time from safe zone to safe zone to reduce your risk while traveling through avalanche terrain. Early season conditions exist with numerous exposed and shallowly buried obstacles in most areas.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. Isolated areas of instability are not impossible. Normal caution is advised. Early season conditions exist with numerous shallow buried and exposed obstacles in most areas.

Considerable avalanche danger exists as additional loading of snow and rain occur throughout the region.  Wind slabs will be possible on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline.  Storm slabs will be possible on all aspects below treeline and near treeline where previous snow coverage existed.  Persistent slab avalanches will become possible on N aspects along the Sierra Crest and in the Mt. Rose area.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential.

Considerable avalanche danger could exist today due to wind slabs and persistent slab avalanches.  Wind slabs could form on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline at snow level and above.  Persistent slabs are possible on North aspects along the Sierra Crest and in the Mt. Rose area.  All other areas will have Moderate avalanche danger.  Dangerous avalanche conditions could exist today-large avalanches are possible in specific terrain areas.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists due to possible persistent slabs on high elevation NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees and some unlikely but not impossible wind slabs on wind loaded upper elevation slopes. While avalanches may have become harder to trigger, large destructive human-triggered avalanches remain possible today. In addition to the avalanche danger, firm icy slopes may exist on all aspects up to 9000 ft. due to a frozen rain crust.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger exist above 8,000' both above and below treeline on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to a combination of newly formed wind slabs above 8,000' and difficult to trigger persistent slabs above 9,000'. Below 8,000' to 9,000' firm icy surfaces exists in many areas and could pose dangerous travel conditions with long sliding falls possible.

Areas above 8000' where the most snow has fallen will have Considerable avalanche danger.  Wind slabs have and will continue to form throughout today on NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects.  Deep persistent slabs will be possible above 9000' on NW-N-NE aspects.  Natural triggered avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely in these areas.  Large destructive avalanches remain possible throughout today.   Firm icy surfaces exist at the lower elevations and could pose dangerous travel conditions with long sliding falls possible. 

MODERATE avalanche danger may exist on NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects in above treeline terrain due to possible wind slabs created by forecasted NE and E winds. These new wind slabs should remain small but could knock a person off their feet. Triggering a deep slab avalanche on NW-N-NE aspects above 9000 ft. has become unlikely but not impossible. At elevations below 9000 ft. less avalanche danger exists, but firm icy slopes with a dusting of snow may exist on all aspects.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger linger near and above treeline due to old wind slabs. Below treeline, LOW avalanche danger exists. Avalanche activity has been reported in isolated areas each of the past two days.

Low avalanche danger continues across the forecast area for today at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  Avalanche danger is expected to increase tomorrow as a significant winter storm moves into our area. An avalanche watch has been issued to reflect this expected increase in avalanche danger.

This advisory is valid until 12/26 at 7am.

Wind slabs in wind-loaded near and above treeline areas mean that human-triggered avalanches remain likely today and will remain possible tomorrow. In near and below treeline areas, human triggered storm slab avalanches will be possible in some areas both today and tomorrow. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully and use this data to inform your route planning. Cautious and conservative decision-making represents the best plan for recreating in the backcountry.