Low avalanche danger will continue today throughout the forecast area at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations within the forecast area. Normal caution is advised.

The avalanche danger will remain LOW for all elevations for most of the day. As new snow accumulates this evening and overnight the avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE in near and above treeline terrain due to newly formed wind slabs. In addition, dangerously cold temperatures with wind chills below zero could pose problems for anyone out in the backcountry tonight. 

Moderate avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline terrain due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  Low avalanche danger will exist in below treeline areas.  Look for unstable snow in wind loaded terrain. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today in most portions of the forecast area at all elevations. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger may develop near treeline and above treeline in any areas that receive close to or more than a foot of new snow. Wind slabs are the main avalanche problem of concern. Isolated storm slabs may form in the areas of greatest new snow accumulation. Factor in how decreasing snow stability will affect travel plans and terrain selection as the day progresses.

MODERATE avalanche danger lingers near and above treeline. LOW avalanche danger exists below treeline. Blowing snow is expected today with the possibility of a wind slab avalanche problem. Air temperatures warming to near freezing today will allow for a very slight possibility of a loose wet avalanche problem.

As new snow accumulates today, the avalanche danger should rise to CONSIDERABLE in near and above treeline terrain and MODERATE in below treeline terrain. Expect fragile wind slabs near and above treeline and possible storm slabs in more sheltered areas near and below treeline. Human triggered avalanches will become likely today.

Moderate avalanche danger continues to exist in near and above treeline terrain due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  Low avalanche danger will exist in below treeline terrain.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today due to likely wind slab and storm slab avalanches and possible deep slab avalanches. Another round of intense snowfall and wind impacting the region this afternoon and tonight should cause the avalanche danger to rise to HIGH in near and above treeline terrain. Most avalanche accidents happen at CONSIDERABLE or MODERATE, avoiding avalanche terrain and travelling on slopes less than 30 degrees without any exposure to steeper terrain above is recommended today.

Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations. Even though snowpack stability is improving, human triggered avalanches remain possible. Keep in mind that most recreational avalanche accidents happen during periods of MODERATE or CONSIDERABLE danger. Wind slab, deep slab, and loose wet avalanche problems may be encountered today. Areas of unstable snow will exist within greater surrounding areas of seemingly stable snow.

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE for all elevations. Large destructive Deep Slab avalanches are an ongoing problem with large human triggered avalanches occurring both Saturday and Sunday. Loose wet and wind slab avalanche problems may also be encountered today. This is not typical Sierra post storm conditions. If going into the backcountry, deliberately choose terrain and plan a route that avoids exposure to the current avalanche problems. Do not underestimate potential avalanche size or likelihood of triggering.

Moderate avalanche danger exists today due to deep slab and loose wet avalanche problems.  Triggering a deep slab avalanche is still possible on specific terrain features throughout most of the forecast area.  Evaluate terrain carefully and identify features of concern.

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Triggering a deep slab has become unlikely on a regional scale. Unlikely does not mean impossible and a deep slab problem could still lurk on some isolated terrain features. Some isolated loose wet issues could occur today if the forecast area receives more sun or warmer temperatures than expected.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations. Avalanche activity is unlikely on a regional scale. Isolated areas of unstable snow may exist somewhere within the forecast area. Small and mostly inconsequential loose wet instability may occur today. Deep slab avalanches are very unlikely but not impossible.

Avalanche danger will quickly be on the rise as this winter storm intensifies and snow levels begin to drop throughout the day.   Considerable avalanche danger will exist today and throughout the night at all elevations.  Loose wet avalanches will be likely due to high elevation rain today.  Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems will become likely this afternoon as the storm increases and snow levels drop.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist with human and natural triggered avalanches expected.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist during the day due to wind slabs formed in the last 24 hours. The avalanche danger will quickly increase as the next storm impacts the forecast area starting this afternoon. The avalanche danger should rise to HIGH tonight night as wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems become widespread. Human triggered wind slabs will become very likely and storm slabs will become likely during the night. Travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain likely today and storm slab avalanche problems remain possible. In addition to these issues, the possiblity of an isolated deep slab avalanche cannot be ruled out. For these reasons, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Some avalanches that occur today could be very large and destructive and have very serious consequences.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues today for all elevations. Loose wet avalanches may occur. An unexpected deep slab avalanche was remotely skier triggered yesterday leading to a high degree of uncertainty. Strive to create larger than normal margins of safety while traveling in or below avalanche terrain today.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist today due to a combination of loose wet, deep slab, and wind slab avalanche problems.  A moderate to strong atmospheric river storm will bring widespread rain and high elevation snow throughout the forecast area over the next couple days.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist with natural and human triggered avalanches expected.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists above 8000 ft and MODERATE avalanche danger exists in areas below 8000 ft. Today's avalanche problems include lingering wind slabs, loose wet avalanches, and possible deep slab avalanches. Daytime warming and strong March sunshine could make avalanches easier to trigger on sun-exposed slopes today.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues near and above treeline due to an ongoing wind slab avalanche problem. Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today. Below treeline, avalanche danger is LOW.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today due to wind slab and loose wet avalanche problems.  Wind slabs will be possible in near and above treeline terrain.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations as daytime warming occurs.  Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features, identify areas of concern.

The avalanche danger will quickly increase to MODERATE at all elevations as the day warms up. Loose wet avalanche problems will be possible today.

The avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE as the day warms up. Loose wet avalanche problems will become possible. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will occur at all elevations today as a loose wet avalanche problem develops in response to daytime warming. Evaluate snow surface supportability on an ongoing basis and avoid avalanche terrain in areas where marginally supportable to unsupportable wet snow exists.

MODERATE avalanche danger will continue as daytime warming occurs due to a loose wet avalanche problem.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations today.  Avoid avalanche terrain with unsupportable wet snow.

MODERATE avalanche danger today will rise to CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger this afternoon and during the night as heavy rain impacts the forecast area. Loose wet avalanche problems will go from possible to likely today and some of these could involve large amounts of snow. In addtion, deep slab avalanches that would be very large and destructive and would have severe consequences may become possible tonight and tomorrow.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations. As last night's snow surface refreeze melts away, loose wet avalanches will become possible. When snow surface conditions become marginally unsupportable to unsupportable, avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger exist above, near, and below treeline. Poor conditions for snow surface refreeze occurred last night. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain in areas where the snow surface is marginally unsupportable to unsupportable wet snow.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slab problems and some possible storm slab avalanche problems. Human triggered slab avalanche activity will be possible today. If less clouds develop than forecasted today, wind slab and storm slab avalanches may be easier to trigger on sun-expsosed slopes and some loose wet instabilities could also form.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations today as a loose wet avalanche problem develops in response to daytime warming. Monitor snow surface conditions and avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain in areas where the snow surface is marginally supportable to unsupportable, where human triggered roller balls are occurring, or where loose wet avalanches are actively occurring.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists near treeline and above treeline today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists below treeline. Today's wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems have the potential to be exacerbated by rapid warming. Loose wet avalanches are unlikely today, but could become an issue if the sun comes out from behind the clouds. The avalanche situation could be fairly complex in the backcountry today. If in doubt, seek low angle terrain without steeper terrain above.

MODERATE avalanche danger could exist at all elevations today due to periods of sunshine causing rapid warming of the recent snow. Any amount of April sun could cause conditions to change in a matter of minutes and allow loose wet avalanches to become possible on sun-exposed slopes. Once any signs of warming snow or wet snow exist it is time to move to colder aspects, lower angle slopes, or switch an activity that does not involve snow.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will develop today at all elevations as rapid warming of recent storm snow creates a loose wet avalanche problem. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain on slopes with marginally supportable to unsupportable wet snow conditions or on slopes where roller balls are occurring.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations. A loose wet avalanche problem will develop quickly this morning in areas where a poor snow surface refreeze occurred last night. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain on slopes with marginally supportable to unsupportable wet snow conditions or on slopes where roller balls are occurring. This is the last avalanche advisory of the 2017/2018 season.

Starting to think about winter? So are we. The forecasters are currently working on continuing education at ISSW. SAC would love to see you at the upcoming California Avalanche Workshop on Oct 20th. Check the events page for details and registration.

Early Season Conditions Update #1

Our first series of winter storms for the season are approaching our region today through Saturday.  In areas that receive the most snowfall, isolated wind slabs and minor loose wet avalanches could become possible.  Practice safe travel protocols when in or near avalanche terrain.  Daily avalanche advisories will begin as the snowpack builds.  

High Avalanche Danger will exist today as heavy snowfall with gale force winds impact our forecast region.  Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems will become very likely today in near treeline and above treeline terrain where previous snow cover existed.  Considerable Avalanche danger will exist in below treeline terrain at lower elevations with minimal previous snow cover.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist today, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche danger will quickly rise to CONSIDERABLE danger this morning at all elevations as new wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems develop. Anticipate areas of unstable snow both above and below treeline today. Snowpack instability is expected to increase rapidly. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Human triggered avalanches remain possible. Some unstable storm slabs and wind slabs may still linger in some areas. If any doubts exist about the stability of a slope, avoid it and move on to something lower angle with less uncertainty.

Moderate Avalanche danger will exist throughout the forecast region today due to a persistent slab avalanche problem.  Widespread surface hoar has been reported throughout the area this past week.  Light amounts of new snow occurred overnight and are expected into tomorrow.  Most avalanches associated with this buried surface hoar are expected to be small, but even small avalanches can have severe consequences with our early season snow coverage.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully today, identify areas of concern.    

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Normal caution is advised.

Increased winds during the night and continued windy conditions today may mean that growing wind slabs could exist on top of a buried weak layer. The avalanche danger is MODERATE in near and above treeline terrain. Human triggered avalanches may be possible today.

New wind slabs could have formed during the night and old wind slabs with a fragile weak layer (surface hoar) below them may still linger on isolated slopes in very wind-exposed near and above treeline terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches may be possible today.

Low Avalanche Danger is expected throughout the forecast region today.  Normal caution is advised. 

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Avalanche activity is unlikely, but remain cautious if traveling in areas of firm wind slab.

Human-triggered avalanches will be possible today due to wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Maintain awareness of the conditions and terrain while traveling in the backcountry and use this information to create safety margins that avoid the avalanche problems. 

Moderate Avalanche Danger will exist today due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  Wind slab avalanches will remain possible in near and above treeline terrain.  Low Avalanche Danger will exist in below treeline terrain.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to old and new wind slabs. LOW avalanche danger exists in wind protected areas below treeline.