Heavy and wet new snow has loaded our weak snowpack structure.  Human triggered persistent slab and wind slab avalanches remain a concern for today.  Just because the storm has ended and it's a sunny day, doesn't mean that avalanches can't occur.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations.    

The likelihood of triggering an avalanche has gradually decreased but the consequences have not. Isolated areas of unstable snow linger due to a persistent slab avalanche problem. Any isolated avalanches today are likely to be larger than expected. MODERATE avalanche danger lingers at all elevations. Increasing avalanche danger is expected tomorrow.

Triggering avalanche on steep slopes still remains possible especially in wind affected terrain where new slabs of wind drifted snow exist or in more sheltered terrain where the old snow below the surface remains weak. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Conservative terrain choices are recommended when traveling in the backcountry. This forecast will be updated on Jan. 2 by 7 am. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions continue with persistent slab and wind slab avalanche problems.  Multiple human triggered avalanches have occurred since our last storm 3 days ago.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations.  Advanced terrain management skills are required to avoid these avalanche problems today.

Unstable conditions are expected to continue today with a slower than typical post-storm stabilization process. Both persistent slab and wind slab avalanches occurred yesterday and could be triggered again today. Conservative, sub 30 degree slope angle terrain choices are highly recommended for today. Today is not the day to go big. Avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE for all elevations.

While a small slab of wind drifted snow or a soft slab above old weak snow may still lurk on an isolated piece of terrain, avalanches are unlikely overall. Icy scoured surfaces and variable uneven snow could make travel challenging. The avalanche danger will remain LOW for today and tomorrow. Expect an increase in avalanche danger Friday night and Saturday as new snow and wind impact the forecast area. This forecast will be updated at 7am on Saturday.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for our area.  A persistent slab avalanche problem remains a concern in below and near treeline areas.  Increased winds overnight will make unstable wind slabs in near and above treeline terrain.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today.  

Unstable conditions are persisting, longer than what often occurs in this region. Trigging a large avalanche remains possible, especially near treeline and below treeline. Additionally, small unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may exist above treeline and near treeline. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. This is not the time to try and outsmart the snowpack. Stick with mellow terrain for now, waiting patiently for the right set of conditions to move into bigger, steeper terrain at another time.

Today's biggest concerns exist on steep slopes where old weak sugary snow barely supports the soft slabs of recent snow above it. People could tip the balance and break this layer possibly triggering avalanches. This problem is widespread near and below treeline and isolated above treeline. Shifting winds have also moved slabs of drifted snow into new places at upper elevations. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. More accidents happen at MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE than any other danger ratings.

A weak snowpack structure exists throughout most of the forecast region with a buried persistent weak layer below the recent storm snow.  CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger continues due to this persistent slab avalanche problem and the possibility of human triggered avalanches.  Advanced route finding and backcountry decision making skills are required to avoid this avalanche problem.  Avalanche danger is expected to further rise into tomorrow as a winter storm impacts our area. 

The current avalanche situation is both dangerous and complex. Slabs of wind drifted snow and a significant new snow load overlying old weak snow means the possibility of encountering an avalanche in lots of different areas today both above and below treeline. Today is not a day to go big. Scale back terrain choices and slope angles. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

The new snow has made the rocks and other obstacles harder to see and easier to hit. This storm's new snow and wind have also added potential avalanche concerns. Unstable slabs of wind drifted snow (wind slabs) may exist on open slopes near ridgelines on almost any aspect today. Human triggered avalanches will be possible. MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain. 

For now, collisions with exposed and barely covered obstacles and challenging travel conditions resulting from variable snow surfaces still represent the main concern in the backcountry. Travel using normal caution. The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. 

LOW avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region.  Caution is advised when traveling in the backcountry due to the early season conditions and thin snowpack.

Some minor amounts of drifting snow may occur but avalanches remain unlikely. Normal caution is advised. LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations.

Exposed and barely covered obstacles abound in the backcountry due to the shallow early season snow conditions. These obstacles combined with the variable snow surfaces can lead to "interesting" (an optimistic word for challenging) backcountry travel conditions. Travel using normal caution. The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. 

If your heading into the backcountry, be prepared for early season conditions with a thin and variable snowpack.  LOW avalanche danger exists with avalanche activity unlikely.  Normal caution is advised.  

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.