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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Sunny conditions with elevated winds will continue today.  Firm and variable snow surfaces exist throughout the backcountry providing challenging travel conditions.  LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations with normal caution advised.

While blowing snow may be present today, significant avalanche activity should remain unlikely since old snow should remain frozen and new snow accumulation should remain limited. Variable firm snow conditions and gale force NE winds represent the main challenges for backcountry travelers today. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Snow surface melt in areas of direct sun exposure will create a loose wet avalanche problem as the day progresses. MODERATE avalanche danger will develop today at all elevations.

A warming trend beginning today will start to allow the snow surface to soften with the potential for small loose wet instabilities.  Normal caution is advised with LOW avalanche danger expected throughout the forecast region.

Firm icy surfaces on exposed slopes and variable conditions on sheltered slopes will represent today's main concerns for backcountry travelers. Significant avalanche activity should remain unlikely due to the limited amount of new snow that accumulated. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Snow surface melt leading to loose wet avalanche problems is expected again 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.

Shallow, difficult to trigger slabs of wind drifted snow exist near treeline and above treeline. Warming conditions and snow surface melt will allow for rollerballs and maybe some small loose wet avalanches. Isolated small avalanches may occur today, well within the definition of today's forecast of LOW avalanche danger for all elevations.

Increasing winds will create wind drifted snow in near and above treeline areas today.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs, with  LOW avalanche danger in below treeline terrain.

Slabs of wind drifted snow at upper elevations and sluffs of wet snow at lower elevations are possible today. New loading on the persistent weak layer of crust and sugary faceted snow means that higher consequence avalanches may also be possible today. Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations.

A low likelihood high consequence persistent slab avalanche problem lingers below treeline and near treeline with ongoing isolated instability. Lingering wet snow surface conditions below 8,500' may allow for some very small loose wet avalanches. Wind and light snow last night may have created isolated slabs of wind drifted snow near and above treeline. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible today with potential high consequences.  MODERATE avalanche danger exists with possible wind slabs and persistent slab avalanche problems.

Loose sugary snow 2 ft below the surface (or deeper in areas with wind drifted snow) has resulted in unusual avalanche conditions with significant uncertainty and the potential for large avalanches with severe consequences. Conservative route finding that avoids steeper terrain represents the best travel advice right now especially with soft snow still lingering on lower angle terrain. Some unstable wind drifted snow may exist at upper elevations. CONSIDERABLE danger continues below and near treeline with MODERATE danger above treeline.

A worrisome persistent slab avalanche problem exists below treeline and near treeline. Lingering unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may exist above treeline and near treeline. Warming air temperatures today may also trigger some loose wet snow instability. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger continues below treeline and near treeline with MODERATE avalanche danger above treeline.

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in near treeline and below treeline areas today caused by rapid new snow loading of a problematic weak layer in the upper snowpack.  New snow and wind will also form unstable slabs of wind drifted snow in near treeline and above treeline areas. A rapid increase to HIGH avalanche danger is forecast for all elevations today with travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Light snow accumulations overnight with gale force winds will create wind drifted snow in near and above treeline areas.  Active weather will continue today with high winds throughout the forecast region.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs, with LOW avalanche danger continuing in below treeline terrain.

Unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may still exist on leeward facing slopes in near and above treeline terrain. Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists near and above treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

Strong winds from both the SW and NE have drifted snow and deposited it as small unstable wind slabs on a variety of slopes above treeline and near treeline. Warming conditions today may allow for some minor wet snow instability on slopes in direct sun. MODERATE avalanche danger exists in wind exposed areas above treeline and near treeline with LOW avalanche danger below treeline.

New snow with high winds has made wind slab avalanches possible in near and above treeline areas.  LOW avalanche danger will continue in below treeline terrain.  Active weather is forecasted to continue for our area.

LOW avalanche danger will continue throughout the forecast area with avalanches unlikely today.  Normal caution is advised when traveling in the backcountry.

On a regional scale, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Small, isolated areas of unstable snow from either wind drifted slabs or warming wet snow may or may not exist today. Don't let the danger rating lull you into complacency.

MODERATE avalanche danger lingers above 9,000' in above treeline and near treeline terrain due to shallow slabs of wind drifted snow (wind slabs). Anticipate a travel hazard today with rain crust on all aspects up to about 9,000' making long sliding falls possible. LOW avalanche danger exists for areas below 9,000' and for below treeline terrain.

Blowing snow will continue today with increasing and shifting winds.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs.  Below treeline areas will have low avalanche danger. 

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline and near treeline due to recently wind drifted snow. Wind slab avalanches occurred yesterday. LOW avalanche danger continues in wind protected areas below treeline.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists above treeline and near treeline due to an overnight wind shift to the ENE that has likely drifted snow and formed new wind slabs. LOW avalanche danger continues for wind protected areas below treeline.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations today.  Wind slabs that formed yesterday will be a concern in near and above treeline areas.  Loose dry avalanches will be possible in below treeline areas.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline and near treeline due to a variety of difficult to trigger hard and soft wind slabs. LOW avalanche danger exists in wind protected areas below treeline. 

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for above treeline and near treeline terrain due to wind slabs formed yesterday from deposits of wind drifted snow. Significant uncertainty exists for near treeline terrain where a wind slab avalanche yesterday was observed to have unusual characteristics. Below treeline, LOW avalanche danger continues.

Increasing and shifting winds will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE today due to wind slabs in near and above treeline terrain.  LOW avalanche danger will continue in below treeline areas.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline terrain today due to the presence of both new and old wind slabs. Human-triggered avalanches remain possible on steep slopes where slabs of wind drifted snow have formed. Avalanche activity is unlikely in sheltered, below treeline terrain (LOW avalanche danger).

Avalanche danger is increasing today. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger is expected to develop this afternoon in above treeline and near treeline areas due to wind drifted snow forming into wind slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger is expected this afternoon below treeline due to the possibility of new snow forming into storm slabs.

MODERATE avalanche danger will continue in near and above treeline areas due to wind slabs. Storm slabs are becoming unlikely, with LOW avalanche danger in below treeline areas. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today in near and above treeline areas due to lingering wind slabs.  MODERATE avalanche danger will also exist in below treeline areas due to possible storm slabs.  Uncertainty exists about storm slabs and the potential for buried surface hoar.

An increase to HIGH avalanche danger is expected today in near treeline and above treeline areas due to new snow and wind drifted snow creating wind slabs and the potential for large avalanches. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger is expected below treeline due to high intensity snowfall creating storm slabs. Travel in near treeline and above treeline avalanche terrain is not recommended. Travel in below treeline avalanche terrain will become increasingly dangerous as the day progresses. Lighting strikes are possible this afternoon.