Considerable avalanche danger will continue due to wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems.  Wind slabs will be likely in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Storm slabs will be likely in near treeline and below treeline terrain.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential today.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Small loose wet avalanches may occur today. Deep slab avalanches are very unlikely but not impossible on a regional scale.

The avalanche danger will remain LOW for all elevations today since significant avalanche activity is unlikely. Unlikely does not mean impossible. Some unstable snow may still lurk on isolated terrain features somewhere in the forecast area in the form of a remotely possible but very unlikely deep slab problem or small and mostly inconsequential wet snow issues in lower elevation terrain.

Even though deep slab avalanches have become more difficult to trigger and are now unlikely in most areas, they may remain possible in some specific terrain. The consequences of such an avalanche would still be dire. Some loose wet avalanche problems may also become possible today. These issues will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist throughout the forecast region due to a deep slab avalanche problem at all elevations.  Large destructive avalanches have occurred in our area and continue to be possible today.  Loose wet avalanches will be likely today as daytime warming occurs.  Make a plan with your group that avoids terrain and exposure to the current avalanche problems.  Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

UPDATE @ 12:00 pm. Danger increased to CONSIDERABLE. Large, dangerous, human-triggered deep slab avalanches are possible. Some already occurred today. These avalanches can be triggered remotely and would be almost impossible to survive. Wind slab and loose wet problems may also exist. Instability may lurk within areas of seemingly stable snow. If traveling in an area where deep slabs may exist avoid this problem by staying on slopes less steep than 30 degrees that are not connected to steeper terrain.

CONSIDERABLE danger exists at all elevations due to likely wind and storm slabs and possible deep slabs. Most avalanche accidents happen at CONSIDERABLE or MODERATE danger. Don't let "powder fever" corrupt good judgment. Make a plan before going into the backcountry that focuses on thorough and careful terrain and snowpack evaluation. Avoiding avalanche terrain and traveling on slopes less than 30 degrees without any exposure to steeper terrain above is recommended today. Avalanches could be large and destructive.

HIGH avalanche danger will occur today for all elevations. An avalanche warning is in effect through 7 am Friday. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. If you choose to go out into the backcountry today, please create and closely follow a clear and detailed plan to travel only on slopes less than 30 degrees in slope angle without any exposure to steeper terrain above. Poor visibility may make navigation and terrain recognition very difficult.

Moderate avalanche danger will exist throughout the forecast area at all elevations due to wind slab and storm slab avalanches.  Wind slabs will be possible in near and above treeline terrain and storm slabs in near and below treeline terrain.  Heightened avalanche conditions exist with human triggered avalanches possible today.

 

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists in near and above treeline terrain due to lingering wind slabs as well as some potential new wind slabs. While these wind slabs should have become more difficult to trigger, human-triggered avalanches remain possible. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists today for all elevations. Wind slab, loose dry, and storm slab avalanche problems may be encountered. Any areas of unstable snow will exist within greater surrounding areas of seemingly stable snow. Signs of instability may not readily present themselves today unless you are actively assessing for them.

Low avalanche danger will exist throughout the forecast area at all elevations today.  Watch for wind slabs in isolated near and above treeline terrain.  Avalanche danger is expected to rise tomorrow as an approaching storm brings light to moderate snowfall with increasing winds. 

Considerable avalanche danger will exist today in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to wind slab avalanches.  Moderate avalanche danger will exist in all other areas.  Natural avalanches are possible with human triggered avalanches likely.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist today.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations within the forecast area. Normal caution is advised. Avalanche danger may increase Sunday evening.

Low avalanche danger exists at all elevations throughout the forecast area.  Normal caution is advised.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today on a regional scale. Some very small, shallow wind slabs may exist on a few isolated terrain features in the most heavily wind-loaded areas in near and above treeline terrain.

The avalanche danger will remain LOW for all elevations today and avalanche activity will remain unlikely. Other hazards still exist in the backcountry. Continue to use normal caution during backcountry travel. 

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Minor loose wet instabilities may form in response to daytime warming. Normal caution is advised.

Low avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  As daytime warming occurs, small loose wet instabilities may form on isolated terrain features.

LOW avalanche danger will exist at all elevations today. Daytime warming may allow some small loose wet avalanche problems to form on some isolated sun-exposed terrain features where snow coverage exists.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Isolated areas of unstable snow will form today. Loose wet is the avalanche problem to look for and avoid. Slab avalanches are very unlikely today on a regional scale.

Low avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area.  Normal caution is advised.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

As the day warms up, the avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE due to the potential for loose wet avalanches.  A few isolated persistent slabs may also linger on some near and below treeline slopes, especially in the Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass areas. 

The avalanche danger remains MODERATE due to old and new wind slabs in near and above treeline terrain. Some loose wet avalanches may become possible as the day warms up.  Unlikely but not impossible persistent slabs may also linger in below treeline areas, especially in the Carson Pass region. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists above and below treeline due to a combination of wind slab and persistent slab avalanche problems. Significant uncertainly exists regarding the persistent slabs due to a change in weak layer of concern, isolated distribution, and a lack of data. Do not let an absence of signs of instability below treeline create a sense of security that discounts the possibility of an isolated avalanche problem.

Moderate avalanche danger will exist for most of today due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  Human triggered wind slabs will be possible in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  After the onset of snowfall this afternoon, avalanche danger will quickly rise to considerable due to wind slab, storm slab, and deep persistent slab avalanche problems.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to newly formed wind slabs and unlikely but not impossible persistent slab avalanche problems lingering in isolated areas. In the unlikely event that an isolated human-triggered persistent slab avalanche does occur, it could be large with significant consequences.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists near treeline and below treeline due to isolated areas of a persistent slab avalanche problem. Any isolated human triggered persistent slab avalanches could be large with significant consequences. Above treeline, avalanche danger is LOW.

Low avalanche danger will continue to exist throughout most of the day.  As the approaching winter storm impacts our region late this afternoon/evening, avalanche danger will begin to increase.  By this evening, considerable avalanche danger will exist.  Wind slab, storm slab, and persistent slab avalanche problems will become likely during the evening and overnight hours.  Natural avalanche activity is likely and dangerous avalanche conditions will exist.

While the avalanche danger should remain LOW today due to the minimal snow accumulation expected, unstable snow may still exist in isolated areas due to lingering persistent slabs or very small pockets of newly formed wind slabs. If observations indicate that an isolated area of unstable snow may exist, choose different terrain. If more snow falls than forecasted, larger avalanche problems could exist and the avalanche danger could increase to MODERATE.

Triggering an avalanche has become unlikely on a regional scale; however, some unstable snow may still exist in isolated areas due to lingering persistent slab issues.  Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Investigate the snowpack and determine if the area you want to travel in is one of those isolated places where the persistent slab problem may still linger. If so or if you don't have enough data for a clear answer, chose a different area. 

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. On a regional scale, triggering an avalanche has become unlikely. Localized, isolated areas of instability may still exist where a human triggered persistent slab or wind slab avalanche could occur. Identify the specific avalanche problem that may exist in the desired area of travel and take appropriate steps to manage it.

Moderate avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area due to persistent slab and wind slab avalanche problems.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today.  Persistent slab avalanches will be possible at all elevations and wind slab avalanches will be possible in near and above treeline terrain.  Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features.

As more snow, rain, and wind impact the forecast area over the next 24 hours, human-triggered avalanches will be likely and natural avalanches will be possible especially later today and during the night. Avalanche problems include persistent slabs, loose wet avalanches, and wind slabs. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations. Avalanches could involve enough snow to bury a person. Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist across the forecast area.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to a combination of loose wet, wind slab, and persistent slab avalanche problems. Intentionally choose terrain, evaluate slope aspect(s) for the presence or absence of avalanche problems, identify likely areas of triggering, and evaluate avalanche consequences in terms of potential size and down slope hazards. Determine how much you really know based on actual data vs what is a guess or pre-bias. If in doubt, make a more conservative choice.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today due to isolated persistent slabs in areas where a slab layer exists above loose weak snow and rain on snow creating loose wet instabilities. Human-triggered avalanches will be possible today. While most avalanches should remain small, the shallow snowpack and numerous exposed obstacles can provide large consequences for any size avalanche. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify where instabilities may exist and avoid those areas in favor of less steep slopes.

While avalanche activity is unlikely in most areas, the snowpack continues to weaken and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain possible in isolated areas where a slab layer exists above loose weak sugary snow (facets). As a result, the avalanche danger remains at MODERATE at all elevations. Identify and avoid areas where a slab layer exists on top of the persistent weak layer of faceted snow. 

Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations. In isolated areas, the snowpack has weakened to the point that human triggered avalanches are now possible. Have a group discussion highlighting how managing a persistent slab avalanche problem is different from managing a wind slab avalanche problem. Adjust terrain selection and travel tactics accordingly.

While avalanches remain unlikely in most areas, the avalanche danger has increased to MODERATE due to a weakening snowpack allowing persistent slab problems to exist in specific areas. Human-triggered avalanches may be possible today in terrain with the right combination of a slab layer resting on top of a persistent weak layer of loose weak snow. This combination does not exist everywhere. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify where slabs may exist on top of a persistent weak layer.

The avalanche danger remains LOW across the forecast area. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry and watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features especially in areas where small wind slabs exist on top of weaker snow. 

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Human triggering of avalanches is unlikely. Use the equipment and travel techniques associated with Normal Caution to help minimize the consequences of encountering an unexpected area of unstable snow.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain due to yesterday's lingering wind slabs and today's newly formed wind slabs. Small loose dry avalanches could also occur on steep slopes where loose unconsolidated surface snow exists in more sheltered terrain. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify areas where avalanche problems exist; and avoid those areas.

LOW avalanche danger will continue today. While triggering an avalanche remains unlikely, following safe travel protocols when in and around avalanche terrain remains a prudent choice. A winter storm forecasted to move into the area tonight and tomorrow will cause the avalanche danger to increase tomorrow and human triggered wind slab and storm slab avalanches may become an issue. If the storm moves in faster than expected, the avalanche danger could increase tonight. 

Low avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region.  Normal caution is advised.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features at all elevations .

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. On a regional scale, triggering an avalanche is unlikely. Signs of isolated, difficult to trigger instability linger near and above treeline. Normal caution is advised.

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible. Continue to assess the snowpack and terrain, and travel carefully in the backcountry. Watch for lingering unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Low avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast area at all elevations.  Isolated hard wind slabs in near treeline and above treeline terrain represent an unlikely, but not impossible avalanche problem.  Look for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Hard wind slabs continue to pose a difficult to trigger avalanche problem keeping MODERATE avalanche danger ongoing in some near and above treeline areas. Below treeline, avalanche danger is LOW. These near and above treeline wind slabs are very dense and could allow a person to travel well out onto the slab, becoming fully committed to the slope prior to avalanche occurrence. It is also plausible that several to numerous individuals could travel a slope before the snowpack fails.

MODERATE danger continues in near and above treeline terrain where hard wind slabs exist above older weaker snow. While these hard slabs may be difficult to trigger, human-triggered avalanches remain possible. If these slabs do break, they would likely fail above the trigger or after that person committed to the slope. Identify where wind slabs exist and avoid them. Firm or icy surfaces where arresting a fall would be challenging also exist on some exposed near and above treeline terrain.