Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger continue to exist at all elevations on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to a combination of wind slabs and persistent slabs. A human triggered wind slab avalanche occurred yesterday with signs of persistent instability present in other areas. Human triggered avalanches are possible again today in a variety of areas. Exercise caution and conservative decision making during backcountry travel.

Moderate avalanche danger continues to be possible throughout most of the forecast area due to persistent slabs.  These persistent slabs are found on slopes steeper than 32 degrees at all elevations mainly along the Sierra Crest.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. 

Human triggered avalanches will be possible today at all elevations due to new wind slabs, new storm slabs, and lingering persistent slabs. Some avalanches could be large and have serious consequences. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully; identify areas where instability may exist, and use this information to avoid those areas of concern. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. As more snow and wind impact the region this week, the avalanche danger will increase.

HIGH avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely in a variety of areas. Large destructive avalanches could occur. A complex mix of wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems exist. The majority of avalanche activity today is expected on slopes 35 degrees and steeper but could occur on slopes 30 degrees and steeper in isolated areas. A Backcountry Avalanche Warning is in effect until 7 am Thursday.

Moderate avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area due to deep slab and wind slab avalanches.  Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to be possible with many deep slab avalanches occurring throughout the forecast area within the last 48 hours including a skier triggered deep slab avalanche in the Mt. Rose area yesterday partially burying a skier and a car.  Large avalanches with severe consequences could be human triggered today.   Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

Natural and human triggered avalanches are certain today due to the significant amount of rain on snow expected below 9300 ft. and heavy wet snow loading above 9000 ft. Large, deep, destructive wet slab, deep slab, and wind slab avalanches will occur today as well as loose wet avalanches. Avalanches could run farther than expected and involve almost the entire snowpack. Avoid travel in or near avalanche terrain or runout zones today. EXTREME avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

HIGH avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects due to a combination of wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems. Travel in avalanche terrain, on or below slopes 30 degrees and steeper is not recommended. Avalanches could run into areas of mature forest. A backcountry avalanche warning is in effect through at least 7 am Wednesday.

Considerable avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential today.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to newly formed wind slabs and unlikely but not impossible lingering deep slabs. Human triggered avalanches may remain possible today especially in regards to the wind slabs that formed yesterday. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully before committing to any route and use this information to identify and avoid areas of concern. This data can also help find safer areas to recreate where good snow conditions exist.

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. While triggering an avalanche has become unlikely, some unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features and small avalanches could still occur in isolated or extreme terrain. Continue to evaluate the terrain and snowpack while traveling in the backcountry to identify where these isolated areas of unstable snow may still exist.

LOW avalanche danger continues through the morning hours today. Following the onset of precipitation, MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Avalanche danger will further increasing to CONSIDERABLE danger during the evening and overnight hours at all elevations on slopes 30 degrees and steeper. Expect new wind slabs and storm slabs to form during the afternoon and overnight hours. Natural avalanches are possible tonight.

Considerable avalanche danger will continue throughout the forecast area as another storm impacts our region.  Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems will be very likely at all elevations.  Natural triggered avalanches will be possible and human triggered avalanches will be likely.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Conservative decision making and terrain choices are critical today.

HIGH avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Due to heavy snow, intense snowfall rates, and gale force winds human triggered wind slab avalanches and storm slab avalanches will be very likely today and natural avalanches will be likely. Some avalanches could be large, deep, and destructive. Travel in or near avalanche terrain or in the runout zones of avalanche paths is not recommended.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists near treeline and above treeline due to wind slabs. Below treeline LOW avalanche danger exists in wind protected areas. Areas of instability will exist within greater surrounding areas of seemingly good stability. This could create a false sense of security. Avoid relying on marginal islands of safety or grouping up in runout zones. Evaluate slopes and terrain carefully, especially when changing elevation bands or changing from one aspect to another.

Moderate avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to the possibility of a wind slab avalanche problem.  Low avalanche danger continues in wind protected below treeline terrain.  Identify and avoid areas where active wind loading is occurring or has previously occurred.

Human triggered wind slab avalanches may remain possible today due to wind slabs lingering in near and above treeline terrain. MODERATE avalanche danger exists on near and above treeline slopes. LOW avalanche danger exists in below treeline areas. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a route. Use this information to identify features of concern like wind slabs and plan a route to avoid those areas of concern.

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations, but some unstable snow may still linger on isolated terrain features. Evaluate the terrain and snowpack while traveling in the backcountry to identify where these isolated areas of unstable snow may still exist. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

LOW avalanche danger continues today for all elevations. Isolated areas of instability may exist. Normal caution is advised. Avalanche danger is expected to increase Thursday morning.

Avalanche danger will increase to considerable today due to wind slab, storm slab, and loose wet avalanche problems.  These avalanche problems will be likely in below treeline, near treeline, and above treeline terrain.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist throughout today.  Natural avalanches will be possible and human triggered avalanches will be likely.  Conservative decision making and cautious route finding are essential.

Moderate avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to a continuing wind slab avalanche problem.  Low avalanche danger exists in below treeline terrain.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible for today.  Avalanche danger will rise tonight and through Monday as the first in a series of storms impact our region this week.

HIGH avalanche danger exists above 8,500' with CONSIDERABLE danger below 8,500'. Wind slab, wet slab, and wet loose avalanche problems are expected today. Travel in or below backcountry avalanche terrain or on or below slopes steeper than 35 degrees is not recommended today. Be aware of avalanche run out zones and the potential for large avalanches coming from high above. An avalanche warning remains in effect until 7 am Wednesday February 8, 2017.

The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE today at all elevations as hurricane force winds and heavy precipitation impact the region. Human triggered wind slab avalanches and wet loose avalanches will become likely today. As snow levels lower this afternoon and evening, wind slabs will become more widespread and larger and loose wet snow instabilities will become smaller and more isolated. Natural avalanches will become possible this afternoon and during the night as more snow accumulates. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes at all elevations due to wind slabs formed during the storm and new wind slabs formed by the NE and E winds today. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will remain possible today. Identify areas where wind slabs may exist and plan backcountry travel routes to avoid wind-loaded slopes.  

Moderate avalanche danger exists in below treeline, near treeline, and above treeline terrain due to loose wet and wind slab avalanches.  Loose wet avalanches are possible at all elevations and human triggered wind slabs are becoming unlikely but not impossible in near and above treeline terrain.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify areas of concern. 

LOW avalanche danger early this morning will increase to MODERATE danger for all elevations as daytime warming progresses. Wet loose avalanches are possible today. Timing of travel in or below sun exposed avalanche terrain is important.

Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today on wind-loaded slopes. Near and above treeline terrain will hold more widespread and larger wind slabs, but some wind slabs may still linger in below treeline terrain. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Due to unusual wind directions, wind slabs may exist in unusual places. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify where avalanche problems may exist and plan travel routes to avoid them.

Moderate avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slab and loose wet avalanche problems.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Loose wet avalanches are possible in below treeline terrain.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and make a plan to avoid areas of concern.

Areas of HIGH avalanche danger will continue to exist today at all elevations. Localized convective snow showers are expected to create periods of high intensity snowfall. Widespread avalanche activity occurred yesterday and likely continued to occur last night. Wind slabs and storm slabs remain ongoing avalanche problems.

Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avoid avalanche runout zones.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain today with LOW danger in below treeline areas. Human triggered wind slab avalanches and loose snow sluffs will remain possible today. Carefully evaluate snowpack and terrain before committing to any slopes and use this information to avoid slopes where avalanche problems may exist.

Human triggered wind slab avalanches and small loose snow sluffs will remain possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain today with LOW danger in below treeline areas. Carefully evaluate snowpack and terrain before committing to any slopes and identify where avalanche problems may exist. Use this information to avoid slopes where avalanche problems may exist.

Considerable avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline areas due to wind slab avalanches.  Moderate avalanche danger exists near and below treeline due to storm slab avalanches.  Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely today.  Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger are expected today. Wet loose avalanche activity is possible at all elevations. Some small new wind slabs likely formed above treeline last night due to a shift to E winds. Identify areas of concern and communicate a terrain management plan with travel partners.

Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations as the day warms up. The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE at all elevations today. Other lingering avalanche problems may also still exist like the large cornices above many slopes or instabilities on isolated terrain features in complex or extreme terrain. Identify terrain where avalanche problems may exist and use this information to plan a travel route that avoids the problematic terrain.

Considerable avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slab, storm slab, and loose dry avalanche problems.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist with natural triggered and human triggered avalanches likely today.  Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

MODERATE avalanche danger today for all elevations due to lingering wind slab and developing loose wet avalanche problems. Evaluate terrain and conditions carefully, especially near and above treeline where the wind slab problem exists.

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE today as loose wet avalanche become possible. Some of these loose wet avalanches may entrain enough snow to bury a person. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to colder shadier slopes once signs of loose wet instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, or sinking deep into wet snow start to occur. 

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning. The avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE as loose wet avalanches become possible due to daytime warming and intense spring sunshine. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to less steep slopes or slopes with colder more frozen snow once signs of loose wet instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, or sinking above your boots into wet snow start to occur. 

Low avalanche danger will exist this morning.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will quickly rise to Moderate due to a loose wet avalanche problem at all elevations.  Look for signs of instability and avoid slopes that have unsupportable snow.

LOW avalanche danger exists today for all elevations. The rate of snow surface melt is expected to be slower today as compared to the past several days. Loose wet avalanches may still occur today, but instability is expected to be less widespread than earlier this week. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

The avalanche danger will remain low for a brief period early this morning. As the day warms up, the avalanche danger will quickly rise to MODERATE as loose wet avalanches become possible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to less steep slopes or slopes with colder more frozen snow once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable. Avoid slopes below large cornices and glide cracks. 

Low avalanche danger exists at all elevations throughout the forecast area.  Loose wet avalanche activity should remain limited today.  If we receive more rain or more intense sun than forecasted, loose wet avalanches could become possible.  Avoid travel in areas below large cornices and glide cracks.

Areas of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger are expected today at all elevations due to a combination of wind slab, storm slab, loose dry, and loose wet avalanche problems. Dry snow avalanche problems are expected above 7,500' to 8,500' today with wet snow avalanche problems below 7,500' to 8,500'. Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist in the backcountry and areas of instability are expected to form rapidly both above and below treeline.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist on all aspects today due to rapid warming weakening the recent snow. Widespread loose wet avalanches will be likely today. The warming will also weaken existing slabs making human triggered wind and wet slab avalanches possible today as well.  Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify where avalanche problems may exist and plan a route that avoids the potential avalanche problems. 

Moderate avalanche danger will exist in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to wind slab avalanche problems.  Loose wet avalanches could develop today at all elevations especially if we receive more solar radiation than forecasted.  Human triggered avalanches are possible.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern.

Considerable avalanche danger exists due to wind slab, storm slab, and loose wet avalanche problems.  Wind slabs will be likely in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Storm slabs will be possible in near treeline and below treeline terrain.  Loose wet avalanches will be possible at all elevations.  Natural triggered avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.  Areas north of Tahoe City along the Sierra Crest received the most snow overnight with more avalanche concerns. 

Early this morning avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. As the day progresses, MODERATE avalanche danger will develop at all elevations as loose wet avalanche problems develop in response to daytime warming. Human triggered avalanche activity is possible today on steep slopes during the afternoon hours and could occur during the mid to late morning hours in some locations.

In most areas along the Sierra Crest, the avalanche danger will remain LOW today due to cooler temperatures, cold NE winds, and a lack of significant new snow accumulation. Across the Lake in the Mt. Rose area and in other high-elevation areas across the region where more snow fell, areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline terrain where wind slabs may exist. If more warming occurs today than forecasted, some loose wet instabilities may form. 

Low avalanche danger this morning will increase to Moderate avalanche danger due to loose wet avalanche problems.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations as daytime warming occurs.  Avoid slopes with deep, wet, and unsupportable snow.

LOW avalanche danger is expected through most of this morning. Starting from mid day onwards, areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form as loose wet avalanche problems develop in response to daytime warming. During the afternoon hours, loose wet instability is expected at all elevations.