Snow surface melt could allow for small areas of loose wet instabilities to form on slopes with direct sun exposure during the afternoon hours. Areas of very firm snow surfaces exist with a potential sliding fall hazard. LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

Snow surface melt could allow for small areas of loose wet instabilities to form during the afternoon hours on wind protected slopes with direct sun exposure. Areas of very firm snow surfaces exist with a potential sliding fall hazard. LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

Refrozen surfaces may take longer to soften today because of cooler temperatures and NE winds. Significant loose wet instabilities should remain unlikely. Careful timing and terrain selection can help find softer snow and avoid firm snow surfaces where long sliding falls could occur. The avalanche danger will remain LOW. 

Firm snow conditions with potential fall hazards will continue to exist throughout the forecast region.  Some areas of soft spring snow should develop at low to mid elevations today.  Normal caution is advised with LOW avalanche danger expected.

Snow surface melt leading to small areas of loose wet instabilities during the afternoon hours is unlikely but not impossible on slopes with direct sun exposure, wind protection, and minimal cloud cover. Areas of very firm snow surfaces exist with a potential sliding fall hazard. LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

Enough warming should occur for many sun-exposed slopes to soften today, but it should not get warm enough for significant wet loose instabilities to form. Some slopes may remain firm and challenging to recreate on. LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

Well above average temperatures will allow for loose wet instabilities to form as daytime warming occurs today.  Firm snow conditions continue with potential fall hazards possible.  LOW avalanche danger exists.

Loose wet avalanches will be possible today in sun exposed areas during the late morning and afternoon hours due to weaker refreeze conditions and increased snow surface melt. MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations.

Some loose wet avalanche problems may exist today near and below treeline with MODERATE avalanche danger. Following the onset of snowfall this evening, wind slab, storm slab, and/or loose dry avalanche problems are expected to form with MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger expected during the overnight hours at all elevations on slopes with preexisting snow cover.

Two main avalanche concerns exist for today: the fresh slabs of wind drifted snow deposited by the ENE winds and strong sunshine and warmer temperatures creating wet snow instabilities. Human triggered wind slabs and loose wet avalanches will be possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Loose wet avalanche activity will become possible at all elevations as daytime warming occurs today.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist.

Warm temperatures today will make loose wet avalanches possible as daytime warming occurs into the mid-day to afternoon hours.  MODERATE avalanche danger is expected at all elevations.  Updated at 8:15am to correct problem rose.

Slabs of wind drifted snow that formed over the last 24 hours above treeline and near treeline are the main avalanche concern today. There is a slight chance that a minor loose wet avalanche problem could develop today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

Cool winds and increasing cloud cover from the south should keep significant avalanche activity unlikely today. Some small wet snow instabilities are not impossible on isolated terrain features sheltered from the wind where cloud cover does not block the sun. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

While significant avalanche activity should remain unlikely today, some small wet snow instabilities are not impossible as the day warms up on isolated terrain features especially in areas where more snow accumulated during the last storm. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

A strong winter storm has started to impact our area with high winds and heavy snow expected.  Wind slab and storm slab avalanches will become likely today at all elevations.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist today with avalanche danger expected to rise to HIGH tomorrow as this storm continues. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions continue in the backcountry at all elevations with wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems. Terrain and route selections should be made deliberately and conservatively with the specific intention to manage today's avalanche problems. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations.

While the new snow has started to consolidate, people recreating on the snow could still trigger avalanches in wind-loaded near and above treeline terrain where fragile cornices and slabs of wind drifted snow exist. A lingering deep slab avalanche problem also exists in some near and below treeline terrain where old weak snow lurks below the storm snow. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Areas of unstable snow continue to exist throughout the forecast region.  Human triggered avalanches will remain possible today at all elevations due to wind slab, deep slab, and loose wet avalanche problems.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist.

Pesky ENE winds have left small fresh slabs of wind drifted snow near upper elevation ridgelines. Daytime warming and sunshine may also allow some loose wet avalanche problems to form on lower elevation sunny slopes. On top of these two problems, an unlikely but not impossible deep slab problem still may exist on some isolated near and below treeline slopes. MODERATE avalanche danger continues.

Blowing and drifting snow will deposit in lee areas forming unstable wind slabs above treeline and near treeline. Areas of unstable snow may form in wind protected areas near treeline and below treeline during the late day hours, possibly sooner. MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline. LOW avalanche danger below treeline early this morning will increase to MODERATE danger as the day progresses.

Numerous avalanches were reported yesterday throughout the forecast region.  Human triggered avalanches will remain possible today due to wind slab and loose dry avalanche problems.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.

People triggered slab avalanches 1 to 3 ft deep that broke on a weak layer of buried surface hoar yesterday. This persistent slab problem exists at all elevations. Unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may also break on this weak layer. People can still trigger persistent slab and wind slab avalanches today and they can still trigger them remotely from lower angle terrain. Choosing conservative terrain can help avoid getting caught by this unusual problem. MODERATE avalanche danger will continue.

Recent snow and wind have built fresh slabs of wind drifted snow and large fragile cornices on and above slopes in near and above treeline terrain. Human triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today. Slab avalanches breaking on a weak layer of buried surface hoar have become unlikely, but they may not be impossible on some isolated terrain feature. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Unstable conditions are ongoing with continued avalanche activity. Numerous avalanche problems arising from wind drifted snow, persistent instability, and snow surface warming will coexist in the backcountry today. Avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations.

Mostly sunny skies with mild temperatures will allow small loose wet instabilities to develop throughout the day.  Overall, LOW avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.  Avalanche danger is expected to rise over the weekend as a storm impacts our region.

As the storm intensifies, heavy snow and gale-force winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry today. Large unstable slabs of wind drifted snow and softer slabs of storm snow will exist on steep slopes in both exposed and sheltered terrain. During the day, the avalanche danger will increase to HIGH near and above treeline and CONSIDERABLE below treeline.

Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

Don't be fooled by the danger rating. If you trigger a slab avalanche today it could be ugly and occur on a slope that already has many tracks on it. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations with persistent slab and loose wet avalanche problems.

Elevated avalanche conditions continue with wind slab, persistent slab, and loose wet avalanche problems.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today.  MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Warm sunny weather today will cause sluffs of wet snow to become a problem at all elevations as the day warms up. In addition to these loose wet avalanches, lingering slabs of wind drifted snow may still exist in some near and above treeline areas as well as an unlikely but not impossible persistent slab problem in some isolated spot. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger continues at all elevations.

Firm snow surfaces this morning should melt to soft wet snow in response to strong April sun despite today's cooler temperatures. Sluffs of wet snow could become possible on steep sunny slopes. In addition to these loose wet avalanches, wet slab avalanches also warrant consideration. The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and will increase to MODERATE this afternoon.

Rapid warming conditions and snow surface melt will raise concern for a variety of wet snow avalanche problems today including loose wet, wet slab, and cornice collapse. MODERATE avalanche danger is expected to form quickly today for all elevations, further increasing to CONSIDERABLE danger during the afternoon hours.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will become possible today.  Loose wet and wet slab avalanche problems will continue for our area.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.

Spring weather with some sunshine should provide enough warming for avalanches of loose wet snow to become possible on steep slopes again today. Slabs of wet snow may also still warrant concern in some areas. The avalanche danger is MODERATE today. 

Firm surface conditions early this morning will give way to snow surface melt and the possibility of loose wet snow avalanches at all elevations as the day progresses. MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations once the surface crust melts away, exposing areas of deep wet snow.

Above freezing overnight temperatures along with mostly clear skies will provide a weak refreeze of the snow surface.  Rapid warming starting early this morning will make loose wet avalanches and cornice fall avalanche problems for today.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.

Warm spring weather will quickly melt through whatever refreeze occurred last night and allow avalanches of loose wet snow to become possible before midday. Cornice fall is also a possibility. MODERATE avalanche danger will form at all elevations once the surface crust melts, exposing areas of deep wet snow.

Warm sunny weather today will make short work of last night's refreeze and avalanches of loose wet snow will be possible as soon as the surface crust melts. Cornice failures also remain possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger will quickly form at all elevations.

Last night's refreeze will be short lived this morning. Once the surface crust melts away, a loose wet avalanche problem will be present. Cornice fall remains an additional hazard. MODERATE avalanche danger exists today at all elevations. The last avalanche forecast for this season will post on May 3rd.

A partial overnight refreeze of the snow surface is expected for this morning.  Loose wet avalanches and cornice fall will become possible as rapid warming occurs.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.  The last avalanche forecast for the season will be on Sunday May 3rd.

A good overnight refreeze and cooler windy weather will mean firm snow surfaces this morning. As the day warms up and the refreeze melts, avalanches of loose wet snow may become possible on steep sunny slopes this afternoon. Cornice fall will also remain possible. This afternoon MODERATE avalanche danger will form at all elevations. This is the last avalanche forecast for the season.

Pre Season

We have begun the process of getting the SAC forecasting program up and running after a long summer's rest. It's continuing education and gear maintenance time.

Early season conditions report #1

Additional rain and snow have accumulated over the forecast area during the past 24 hours. Avalanche concerns remain minimal at this time with the possible isolated wind slab exception near ridgetops. The very shallow snowpack remains mostly unusable for snowmobiling/skiing/snowboarding at this time.

Early season conditions exist across the forecast region with a shallow snowpack and many rocks, bushes, and trees present.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today with wind slab and persistent slab avalanche problems at all elevations.  Look for unstable snow on specific terrain features and use cautious travel protocols due to low snow conditions.  

Shallow early season conditions with lots of exposed and barely covered obstacles to hit will represent today's main concern. Avalanche activity has become unlikely on a regional scale. Unlikely does not mean impossible and overhangs of snow along ridges or a patch of unstable snow on an isolated terrain feature could still cause trouble today. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Normal caution is advised. The existing shallow snowcover is supportable. Buried obstacles are avoidable for the most part, but still easy to hit.

Early season conditions exist with limited terrain available for over the snow recreation.  LOW avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region, normal caution is advised.  This forecast is valid for 2 days and will be updated on Friday November 27 by 7am.

Backcountry travelers should expect variable snow surfaces and shallow early season conditions with lots of exposed and barely covered obstacles. Travel using normal caution. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Normal caution tactics are advised for any travel in avalanche terrain at this time. Anticipate shallow snowcover, early season conditions. Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations.