MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today due to loose wet and wind slab avalanche problems.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for near and above treeline areas since wind slab formation should remain limited due to meager snowfall amounts. Below treeline potential rain on snow and warmer temperatures will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE since loose wet avalanches may be possible.

MODERATE avalanche danger is expected today at all elevations due to a combination of loose wet avalanches and lingering wind slabs. Anticipate increasing avalanche concerns due to warming as the day progresses.

Colder temperatures, strong winds, and some light snow flurries are expected throughout today.  MODERATE avalanche danger will continue due to a loose wet avalanche problem. 

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations due to a good overnight refreeze and cooler weather with minimal amounts of new snow today. Firm icy surfaces may exist on many open slopes. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. 

LOW avalanche danger will exist while the snow remains frozen and supportable early this morning. The danger will quickly increase to MODERATE as loose wet avalanche problems become possible due to rapid warming and strong sunshine. 

LOW avalanche danger will transition to MODERATE avalanche danger as the likelihood of loose wet and wind slab avalanche problems increase throughout the day.

LOW avalanche danger will transition to MODERATE avalanche danger as solar radiation and warming quickly increase this morning.  Loose wet avalanches will be likely at all elevations today.

A short period of LOW avalanche danger will exist while the snow remains supportable early this morning. The danger will quickly increase to MODERATE as loose wet avalanche problems become possible due to warm temperatures, strong sunshine, and a weak overnight refreeze. 

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning while the snow surface is frozen and supportable. As daytime warming progresses, MODERATE avalanche danger will develop at all elevations as the snow surface melts and a loose wet avalanche problem develops. Please note that this is the last avalanche forecast for the 2018-2019 season.

Pre Season

The seasonal change is underway and snow is starting to dust the peaks. It's time for gear checks and avalanche education.

Early season conditions update #1

A thin layer of new snow has been laid down across the forecast area. In general, this new snow on bare ground poses little avalanche risk. The limited exception is in near and above treeline areas where wind drifted snow has deposited and formed small wind slabs.

Welcome to winter. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline areas due to wind slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger exists below treeline due to the possibility of storm slabs. Snowcover is thin and there are lots of rocks to hit. Travel with care. This is a 48 hour forecast to cover Wednesday and Thanksgiving day. The next update will occur on Friday by 7 am.

Lingering wind slabs will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE in near and above treeline terrain today. As the next winter storm starts to impact the region tonight, expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly. In addition to the avalanche concerns, the thin snowpack presents hazards in the form of numerous exposed and barely covered obstacles. 

A mixture of warm temperatures, upper elevation snow, and rain will keep the avalanche danger elevated today.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs.  Below treeline areas will have MODERATE avalanche danger due to storm slabs and loose wet avalanches.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

LOW avalanche danger will exist throughout the forecast region at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger for today in above treeline and near treeline areas due to a wind slab avalanche problem from increasing amounts of pre-storm blowing and drifting snow. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist as wind slabs form in wind exposed areas below treeline due to the strength of the winds. Numerous wind slab avalanches occurred yesterday and the avalanche problem will become more widespread today.

Significant wind and new heavy snow during the storm have left large unstable slabs of drifted snow (wind slabs) on exposed near and above treeline slopes. In these areas, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists and human-triggered avalanches are likely. In more sheltered below treeline areas, new heavy snow on top of older, lighter, weaker snow means MODERATE avalanche danger due to the possibility of storm slab avalanches.  

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist due to a combination of wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems.  Unusual storm slab conditions continue with buried surface hoar beneath the recent storm snow.  Human triggered avalanches are possible in specific areas today.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Wind drifted new snow over the highest elevations has created the potential for wind slab avalanches. Rain on snow has created the potential for loose wet avalanches.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline where wind drifted snow has formed into wind slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger exists below treeline due to the possibility of storm slabs and loose dry avalanches.

MODERATE avalanche danger will continue in above treeline terrain due to wind slabs.  LOW avalanche danger will exist in near and below treeline terrain.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs.  LOW avalanche danger will continue in below treeline areas.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline and near treeline due to hard wind slabs. Areas of unstable snow are isolated, but the consequences of becoming caught in an avalanche are elevated due to the specifics of the current avalanche problem. LOW avalanche danger exists in wind protected areas below treeline. 

New snow and wind today will cause the avalanche danger to increase to CONSIDERABLE in near and above treeline terrain as slabs of wind drifted snow become a problem. Human triggered wind slab avalanches will become likely. In more sheltered areas storm slab avalanches may become possible resulting in MODERATE avalanche danger. Variability in snowfall amounts and intensity during the storm will introduce some uncertainty around today's avalanche problems. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist over the next two days due to a wind slab avalanche problem in near and above treeline terrain.  LOW avalanche danger will be in below treeline areas.  This two day avalanche forecast will be updated on Thursday morning by 7am.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline and near treeline as ENE wind continues to drift snow and form wind slabs. LOW avalanche danger continues in wind protected areas below treeline.

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists in near and above treeline terrain due to shifting winds and blowing snow. Slabs of wind drifted snow (wind slabs) could exist on almost any wind-exposed slope. The avalanche danger remains LOW in wind-protected below treeline areas.

MODERATE avalanche danger will remain with wind slabs possible in near and above treeline areas.  LOW avalanche danger will continue in below treeline terrain.  This two day avalanche forecast will be updated on Thursday morning by 7am. 

On a regional scale, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. An isolated unstable area may be out there in the form of wind drifted snow or warming wet snow. However unlikely it is to trigger an avalanche today on a regional scale, today is not a no danger scenario.

Triggering an avalanche remains unlikely on a regional scale. LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. Some areas of unstable wind drifted snow or cornices may still linger on isolated terrain features especially in complex or extreme terrain. Focus on using safe travel techniques, maintaining awareness, and having open discussions with your partners to avoid getting complacent.

Avalanches continue to be unlikely throughout the forecast area, LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised when traveling in the backcountry.  A more active weather pattern is forecasted to start late tonight with increasing chances of snow into the weekend. 

Anticipate encountering unstable slabs of wind drifted snow today in wind exposed areas near treeline and above treeline. MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

Anticipate encountering unstable slabs of wind drifted snow in wind exposed areas near treeline and above treeline today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

Continous strong SW winds have formed slabs of wind drifted snow that the weight of a person could still break on many leeward facing slopes in near and above treeline terrain. As more snow accumulates tonight, expect larger and easier to trigger wind slabs to form. MODERATE avalanche danger exists near and above treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

Human triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs with LOW avalanche danger in below treeline terrain.  Avalanche danger is expected to increase dramatically tomorrow.

There is a high degree of uncertainty today in regards to snowpack instability near and below treeline. A significant loading event onto a weak layer in the upper snowpack has occurred near treeline and below treeline. Significant drifting of new snow has occurred near treeline and above treeline. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger is forecast for all elevations.

The potential size and dire consequences of avalanches failing on a weak layer of snow at least 2 ft below the surface (or much deeper in areas with wind drifted snow) means our travel advice is still to avoid steep slopes. Plenty of great snow exists on lower angle terrain for recreation. At the upper elevations, some unstable wind drifted snow may also still linger. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger continues below treeline and near treeline with MODERATE avalanche danger above treeline.

Additional snow and wind today will increase the chances of avalanches.  Large destructive avalanches continue to be a concern with weak sugary snow buried deep in the snowpack.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slabs and persistent slab avalanche problems.

Snowpack stability is improving, but a low likelihood high consequence persistent slab avalanche problem lingers below treeline and near treeline. Warming conditions and light rain on snow this afternoon and tonight below 8,000' may trigger some rollerballs and very small loose wet snow avalanches. MODERATE avalanche danger continues below treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger above treeline.

Wind drifted snow that has formed into slabs remains an avalanche problem today above treeline and near treeline. A persistent weak layer of crust and sugary faceted snow is keeping isolated instability and a pesky low likelihood high consequence avalanche problem ongoing near treeline and below treeline. Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations.

Slabs of wind drifted snow that fail in response to a person recreating on a slope remain possible today in wind-exposed areas in near and above treeline terrain. Avalanches on the Jan 4 persistent weak layer have moved into the unlikely but not impossible category. If they did occur they would have serious consequences. Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations.

High winds will continue today with blowing snow.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches will remain possible.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline terrain with LOW avalanche danger in below treeline areas.

Snow surface melt leading to loose wet avalanche problems is expected today at all elevations, mainly in areas of direct sun exposure. Most avalanches will be fairly small, but avalanches large enough to bury a person could occur. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Significant avalanche activity should remain unlikely today since old snow should remain frozen and the forecast only calls for limited amounts of new snow. Variable and firm snow conditions in the backcountry could present challenges for backcountry travelers. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Cold temperatures and gale force winds will continue today at the higher elevations.  Small wind slabs in isolated areas may exist in near and above treeline areas with firm crusts at most elevations.  LOW avalanche danger is expected today.

 As the day progresses, snow surface melt in areas of direct sun exposure will create loose wet avalanche problems. An increase to MODERATE avalanche danger will occur today at all elevations.

Another round of snow surface melt leading to the possibility of loose wet avalanches is expected today. MODERATE avalanche danger will develop today at all elevations as daytime warming and snow surface melt progresses.

Firm surfaces, breakable crusts, and continued NE winds will continue to vex backcountry travelers today. Mostly frozen snow surfaces and very little new snow for the wind to blow around should keep significant avalanche activity unlikely today. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.