Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations and aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to a mix of wind slabs, loose wet snow, and wet slabs.

Pockets of MODERATE danger still exist on wind loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible in some areas on these slopes especially on unsupported slopes, slopes with steep rollovers, couliors, and in complex and/or extreme terrain. The largest wind slabs exist south of Hwy. 50 where more snow fell. Some small loose wet avalanche activity may also occur today if the sun breaks through the clouds or temperatures climb higher than forecasted.

CONSIDERABLE danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper at all elevations on NW-N-NE aspects and on near and above treeline, wind loaded, W, E, and SE aspects. MODERATE avalanche danger exists in all other areas. Human triggered wind slab and storm slab avalanches are likely today.

During daylight hours, avalanche danger is expected to remain LOW for all elevations and aspects. As snowfall intensity increases tonight, a significant increase in avalanche danger will occur with natural avalanche activity possible.

The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations and on all aspects. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations and on all aspects. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Isolated areas of unstable wind slab may exist above treeline on N-NE aspects in complex or extreme terrain. Normal caution is advised.

Near and above treeline pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger still exist on wind loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to lingering wind slabs. In wind protected areas below treeline and in wind scoured areas near and above treeline, avalanche danger remains LOW.

Near and above treeline pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist on slopes 35 degrees and steeper on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to newly formed wind slabs. In wind protected areas below treeline and in wind scoured areas near and above treeline, avalanche danger remains LOW.

Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist near and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to lingering unstable wind slabs on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. In wind protected areas below treeline and in wind scoured areas near and above treeline, avalanche danger is LOW.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper on all aspects in near and above treeline terrain due to new wind slabs, the formation of loose wet snow, and unlikely but not impossible deep persistent slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger also exists below treeline on slopes 35 degrees and steeper on the SE-S-SW-W aspects due to the formation of loose wet snow.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on slopes 32 degrees and steeper on all aspects above 7000 ft. due to wind slabs, storm slabs, and deep persistent slabs resting on a variety of weak layers. Below 7000 ft. where more of the storm's precipitation fell as rain, less avalanche danger exists. Even though the best window for natural avalanches has passed, human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Large, deep, and destructive avalanches could still occur today.

Near treeline and above treeline, avalanche danger is HIGH on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper. For all other areas, avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on slopes 32 degrees and steeper. Wind slab, storm slab, wet slab, loose wet, and deep persistent slab avalanches are all possible today.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations on the NW-N-NE aspects and on near and above treeline E-SE aspects. A combination of wind slabs resting on weak snow, old persistent slabs, and loose snow sluffs represent the main avalanche problems today. Human triggered avalanches could be possible today.

The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations and on all aspects. Even though avalanches have become unlikely on a regional scale some unstable snow could still lurk on small isolated terrain features or in extreme terrain.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Keep in mind that the definition of LOW danger states that human triggered avalanches are unlikely on a regional scale but could still occur in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Pockets of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger may still exist on slopes steeper than 30 degrees in near and below treeline terrain on NW-N-NE aspects above 9000 ft. due to recent snow slabs sitting on top of persistent weak layers. Human triggered avalanches could remain likely on these slopes today. MODERATE avalanche danger exists on similar slopes on those aspects below 9000 ft. due to buried wet persistent weak layers. MODERATE avalanche danger also exists and on the wind loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees in near and above treeline terrain due to the presence of wind slabs.

The unusual conditions that exist in the mountains right now require extra caution and superb travel skills.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for most areas today. In areas where rain falls on the snowpack, pockets of MODERATE danger could form on NW-N-NE-E aspects on slopes steeper than 37 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches.

The avalanche danger will increase tonight and tomorrow as a strong winter storm brings wind, some rain, and 1-2 ft of snow above 7000 ft. The new load on top of the already weak snowpack should cause the avalanche danger to reach HIGH meaning that natural and human triggered avalanches will become very likely tonight and tomorrow. Travel in and around avalanche terrain is not recommended tonight or during the day tomorrow.

An increase in avalanche danger my occur tonight into tomorrow. For today avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger is generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects due to the lack of snow cover. The possibility of rain on snow tonight has the potential to increase avalanche danger. Depending on how much rain reaches the ground, natural wet loose snow avalanches could occur late tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger and snow cover are generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects.

Avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger and snow cover are generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects.

Avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger is generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects due to a lack of snowcover.

Avalanche danger remains LOW on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. A few small areas of unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features. The avalanche danger on SE-S-SW-W aspects remains nonexistent due to a lack of snow.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Encountering an isolated area of unstable snow has become unlikely, but may still be possible due to the variability that can exist on a regional scale. Due to melt, avalanche danger on SE-S-SW-W aspects is generally nonexistent.

Avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely but not impossible. Isolated areas of unstable snow may exist on isolated terrain features. Due to melt, avalanche danger on SE-S-SW-W aspects is generally nonexistent.

The avalanche danger is LOW for most areas with consistent snow cover and nonexistent for areas without snow. On a few of the near treeline NW-N-NE aspects that received the most snow yesterday, some pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist where human triggered avalanches may be possible on slopes steeper than 32 degrees. These more fragile areas are mostly likely to exist where small wind slabs formed above persistent weak layers.

Avalanche danger is LOW for snow covered areas at all elevations on NW-N-NE-E aspects. For all other areas, avalanche danger is generally nonexistent due to a lack of snow cover.

Avalanche danger is LOW for snow covered areas at all elevations on NW-N-NE-E aspects. For all other areas, avalanche danger is generally non-existant due to a lack of snow cover.

Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger may still exist on near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects steeper than 32 degrees where consistent snow cover exists. Persistent slabs continue to lurk in these areas. Human triggered avalanches remain possible in these places. Lack of snow in all other areas has made the avalanche danger LOW or non-existent.

Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger remain near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees with consistent snow cover. This is due to lingering persistent slabs. In these areas, the possibility of human triggered avalanches remains ongoing. For all other areas avalanche danger is either LOW or non-existent due to the lack of snow cover.

Pockets of  MODERATE avalanche danger remain near and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees where consistent snow cover exists. Lingering persistent slabs are keeping the possibility of human triggered avalanches ongoing in certain areas near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects. For all other areas avalanche danger is either LOW or non-existent due to the lack of snow cover.

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists near and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees due to lingering persistent slab instability.

Even though these slabs have become more difficult to trigger, human triggered avalanches remain possible in places where consistent snow cover exists.

Avalanche danger remains MODERATE near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees due to lingering persistent slab instability.

Signs of snowpack instability are still observed on a near daily basis. Human triggered avalanches are possible. 

Near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects still hold MODERATE avalanche danger on slopes steeper than 32 degrees because persistent slabs still remain in those areas.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible. Barely covered rocks, logs, stumps and other obstacles would increase the consequences of any avalanches that do occur.

Near treeline and below treeline, MODERATE avalanche danger continues on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to lingering persistent slabs.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible. Shallow covered rocks, logs, and stumps are an additional hazard to backcountry travelers. Impact with rocks or trees while caught in an avalanche can greatly increase consequences.

Near treeline and below treeline, MODERATE avalanche danger continues on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to lingering persistent slabs.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible. Shallow covered rocks, logs, and stumps are an additional hazard to backcountry travelers. Impact with rocks or trees while caught in an avalanche can greatly increase consequences.

MODERATE avalanche danger will continue on the near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to lingering persistent slabs.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible. Due to the shallow snowpack any avalanches that do occur would drag people through and into obstacles like rocks, stumps, and other hard immobile obstacles.

Avalanche danger remains MODERATE near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to ongoing persistent slab instability.

Current conditions remain conducive to human triggered avalanches.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to ongoing persistent slab instability.

Current conditions are very conducive to human triggered avalanches. Use low angle (sub 30 degree) slopes for protection. Stay clear of areas connected to steeper slopes above. Conservative terrain choices and effective communication are critical given the current instability.

On slopes steeper than 32 degrees, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects due to lingering persistent slabs. Human triggered persistent slabs remain possible. Remotely triggered avalanches can occur under these conditions. Some isolated areas of unstable snow may still remain on above treeline slopes as well.

In addition to the avalanche danger a myriad of season-ending obstacles still lurks just below the surface. Conservative terrain selection, careful snowpack evaluation, and conservative decision-making are essential.

On slopes steeper than 30 degrees, MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations on NW-N-NE aspects an on the near and above treeline E-SE aspects due to a combination of widespread persistent slabs and lingering wind slabs. Human triggered persistent slabs remain possible in near and below treeline terrain. Remotely triggered avalanches can occur under these conditions. In addition to the avalanche danger a myriad of season-ending obstacles still lurks just below the surface. Conservative terrain selection, careful snowpack evaluation, and conservative decision-making are essential.

I will update the advisory next on Thurday morning at 7am. 

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations on NW-N-NE aspects 30 degrees and steeper due to a combination of lingering wind slabs and widespread persistent slabs. Human triggered avalanches remain likely today especially in near and below treeline areas where the persistent slabs exist and in above treeline areas where wind slabs sit on persistent weak layers. Remotely triggered avalanches can occur under these conditions. In addition to the avalanche danger a myriad of season-ending obstacles still lurks just below the surface. Don't let "powder-fever" cloud your judgement. Conservative terrain selection, careful snowpack evaluation, and conservative decision-making are essential.

Early season conditions update #4.

The snowpack is slowly building. At this time we are still without sufficient snow cover to warrant daily avalanche advisories. We are making snowpack observations and posting them to the observations page.

Easly season conditions update #2.

We are still without sufficient snowcover to warrant daily avalanche advisories. We are making snowpack observations and posting them to the observations page.

Fall Avalanche Statement 

Daily avalanche advisories are planned to resume in mid November or later as conditions dictate. Occasional intermittent early season updates to this page will occur earlier as conditions warrant.

We have stopped issuing daily avalanche advisories for the 2012-2013 season. Avalanche advisories will resume in fall of 2013. The avalanche danger can and will change quickly this spring. Continue to monitor changing conditions and use caution when traveling in the backcountry. For general spring avalanche information read the full spring avalanche statement.

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. As the day progresses, areas of MODERATE danger will form on all aspects at all elevations on slopes 37 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming. Small human triggered loose wet avalanches will become possible.

Small pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist on near and below treeline slopes steeper than 35 degrees that received rain last night and this morning. Daytime warming may also cause small shallow wet snow instabilities to form.

Near and above treeline, very isolated pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger exist on E-SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to small shallow wind slabs. For all other areas, avalanche danger remains LOW.