Moderate avalanche danger will exist with human triggered avalanches possible.  Wind slabs will continue to be a problem in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to recent and continuing strong to gale force winds.  Identify where wind slabs exist and avoid steep wind loaded terrain. 

For the daylight hours today, LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Depending on new snowfall amounts, areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may form tonight. A wind slab avalanche problem is expected to develop as winds increase today and new snowfall arrives this evening.

Early Season Conditions Update #9

Normal caution is advised throughout the forecast area when traveling in the backcountry.  A useable snowpack of 2-3' exists above 8000' with generally safe avalanche conditions. Small wind slabs may exist or develop in wind loaded areas in near treeline and above treeline terrain through the week.   Practice safe travel protocols when in or near avalanche terrain. 

Early season conditions update #7

A useable snowpack exists above 8000'. The potential exists for loose wet avalanches at all elevations with ongoing above freezing temperatures and light rain possible to 10,000' or higher on Thursday. Normal Caution is appropriate for travel in and around avalanche terrain throughout the forecast area.

Early season conditions update #5

Normal caution, focusing on best travel practices in or near avalanche terrain is appropriate for most of the forecast area. Ongoing concern for deep slab avalanches in the Mount Rose portion of the forecast area is decreasing, but not entirely gone. Large destructive avalanches are unlikely but not impossible in isolated areas. Uncertainly remains for terrain that matches the location of the deep slab avalanche problem. Do not underestimate potential avalanche size or consequences.

Early season conditions update #3 - Regular avalanche advisories will begin later this fall.

More storms are expected to impact the forecast area this week. Some isolated areas of a usable snowpack exist along the Sierra Crest in the northern portion of the forecast area. Anyone participating in over snow travel in or near avalanche terrain needs to carry and properly use companion rescue gear a well as apply avalanche avoidance training.

Early season conditions update #1 - Regular avalanche advisories will begin later this fall.

Significant snowfall is expected to affect the forecast area this weekend. Natural and human triggered avalanches will be possible. Anyone participating in over snow travel in or near avalanche terrain needs to carry and properly use companion rescue gear a well as apply avalanche avoidance training. Stoke is high. Don't let it disrupt sound decision making.

 

Thinking about winter? It's still early fall but the first dustings of snow are covering the peaks. Time to prep gear and further build avalanche knowledge for the upcoming winter. Daily avalanche advisories typically start in late Nov or Dec as the snowpack builds.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists this morning due to the potential for loose wet and wet slab avalanche problems. In areas that received little to no snow surface refreeze last night these problems are possible beginning early this morning. In areas where a refreeze did occur these avalanche problems will develop as daytime warming occurs, accelerating once cloud cover clears from the area today. Avoid travel in avalanche terrain once wet surface snow begins to loose supportability.

LOW avalanche danger this morning will rise to MODERATE avalanche danger as the day warms up. Loose wet avalanches will become possible again today on slopes where wet snow forms. While triggering a wind slab has become unlikely except in a few isolated places, cornice failures remain possible today especially as warming weakens the cornices. Avoid slopes where wet, unsupportable snow exists and complex or extreme terrain where isolated wind slabs may exist. Give all cornices a wide berth.  

As sun and warm temperatures cause rapid warming today, the avalanche danger will increase to CONSIDERABLE once last night's refreeze melts. Large human-triggered loose wet avalanches are likely today if people venture onto steep slopes where wet snow exists. Natural loose wet avalanches are possible. Some wet slab avalanches may also be possible today. The warming will weaken any lingering wind slabs keeping human-triggered wind slab avalanches possible today as well. Avoid slopes where wet snow or wind slabs exist.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to a combination of wind slab and loose wet avalanche problems. Human triggered avalanches are possible today. Natural avalanches are unlikely but not impossible in isolated areas. Identify and avoid slopes where wind slab or loose wet avalanche problems may exist.

The avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE today as sun and warmer temperatures cause more rapid warming. Human-triggered loose wet avalanches will be possible. Some natural loose wet avalanches may also be possible in a few areas. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches may remain possible in complex or extreme terrain or on wind-loaded slopes where rapid warming weakens wind slabs.

Avoid slopes where signs of warming or wet snow exist and slopes where wind slabs remain especially if they receive sunshine.   

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today due to wind slabs on wind-loaded slopes and possible storm slabs in more sheltered terrain. Human-triggered avalanches are possible today. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify where avalanche problems may exist. Use this information to avoid areas with possible avalanche problems. If the storm ends earlier than forecasted and the sun comes out, rapid warming could accentuate these problems and also cause loose wet avalanche problems to form.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger linger today above treeline due to the potential for yesterday's human triggered wind slab avalanche activity to continue. For near treeline and below treeline areas avalanche danger is LOW. Some areas with minor amounts of wet surface snow may exist today, but loose wet avalanche problems are not expected.

Considerable avalanche danger will exist at all elevations due to loose wet, wind slab, and wet slab avalanche problems.  Full sun with Intense solar radiation and rapid warming will deteriorate the bonds within our recent storm snow.  Widespread avalanches could occur with natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

HIGH avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain with CONSIDERABLE danger in below treeline areas due to wind slabs and storm slabs. Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely today. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry today. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist this morning in locations that did not refreeze last night. In areas that did refreeze last night, MODERATE avalanche danger will develop at all elevations as daytime warming progresses. Loose wet avalanche problems are expected today at all elevations. Last night's snow surface refreeze is expected to have been relatively poor in the areas where it occurred.

Low avalanche danger this morning will increase to Moderate avalanche danger as daytime warming occurs.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations.  Avoid slopes where wet, deep, and unsupportable snow exists.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations today due to lingering wind slab problems and loose wet avalanche problems that form in response to daytime warming. Warming could also weaken the lingering wind slabs in some areas. The largest avalanche problems will exist in areas where more snow accumulated during the recent storm like the Mt. Rose area and other high-elevation areas across the region. Identify where wind slabs and loose wet avalanches may exist and avoid those areas.

Some areas of minor loose wet instabilities may exist in areas that are receiving rain this morning, but these concerns should diminish as the day cools off. The avalanche danger should remain LOW today due to the small amount of new snow accumulation expected out of this storm. LOW danger does not mean no danger and some small wind slabs could still form on isolated terrain features. If more snow falls than forecasted larger wind slabs could exist.  

Rapid warming affecting recent storm snow will create areas of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today. Loose wet and wind slab avalanche problems are expected. Areas that did not undergo significant warming yesterday such as higher elevations or areas that spent most of yesterday under cloud cover will be particularly prone to avalanche activity. Identify and avoid areas of concern. Timing of travel in or below avalanche terrain will be critical for avoiding avalanche involvement.

Moderate avalanche danger exists due to wind slab and loose wet avalanche problems.  Wind slabs continue to exist on steep slopes in near treeline and above treeline terrain with new wind slab formation expected late this afternoon.  Loose wet avalanche activity will be possible at all elevations as rapid warming and/or rain occur today.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible. 

Avalanche danger will increase to CONSIDERABLE today as a storm system moves through the forecast area. Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems are expected today. Loose wet avalanche problems are also a possibility. A gradual increase in snowpack instability is expected this morning, transitioning to a rapid increase in snowpack instability this afternoon. Dangerous avalanche conditions will form today. Identify and avoid potentially unstable slopes.

MODERATE avalanche danger at all elevations is expected today for the vast majority of the forecast area. Isolated, highly localized areas could have greater danger. Wind slab, loose wet, and storm slab avalanche problems are expected today. Identify suspect slopes and avoid areas of concern.

In below treeline terrain, Low avalanche danger will quickly rise to Moderate avalanche danger as daytime warming occurs and loose wet avalanche activity becomes possible.  Low avalanche danger will exist in near and above treeline terrain through the day.  Avoid traveling in areas below large cornices and glide cracks.  Avalanche danger is expected to rise tonight and tomorrow as the next incoming storm impacts our area.

LOW avalanche danger may only exist for a brief period early this morning due to little to no overnight refreeze. As the day warms up, the avalanche danger will quickly rise to MODERATE as loose wet avalanches become possible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to less steep slopes or change activities once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable. Avoid slopes below large cornices and glide cracks. 

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning. The avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE as loose wet avalanches become possible due to daytime warming and intense spring sunshine. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to less steep slopes or slopes with colder more frozen snow once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable. Avoid slopes below large cornices and glide cracks. 

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. MODERATE avalanche danger will form quickly during the mid to late morning hours as loose wet avalanche problems develop at all elevations in response to daytime warming. Start early and exit avalanche terrain early. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

Low avalanche danger exists this morning.  As rapid warming occurs with intense sunshine, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate due to loose wet avalanche problems.  Get an early start to avoid most loose wet avalanche issues and have better travel conditions. 

LOW avalanche danger this morning will increase to MODERATE avalanche danger today as loose wet avalanches become possible. If any areas recieve rain today, loose wet avalanche activity will be more widespread in those areas. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and move to slopes with colder more frozen snow once signs of loose wet instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, or sinking deep into wet snow start to occur. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Loose wet avalanche problems will become increasingly widespread today. A wind slab avalanche problem may linger in isolated areas. Timing is important to avoid unstable wet snow as the loose wet problem will increase in response to daytime warming. Terrain with potential wind slabs will need evaluation on a slope by slope basis as signs of instability prior to an avalanche event will likely be very limited.

Considerable avalanche danger will continue today due to additional snow and strong to gale force winds.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Wind slab, storm slab, and loose dry avalanche problems are likely at all elevations.  Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope.

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations until new snow starts to accumulate this afternoon/evening. Some areas of instability can still exist on isolated terrain features during LOW danger.

Once it begins snowing, the avalanche danger will increase rapidly as WIND SLABS and STORM SLABS form. During the night natural avalanches will become possible and the avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE. Expect dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry tonight and tomorrow. Check back tomorrow morning for the latest updates. 

Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations as the day warms up. The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE at all elevations today. Identify terrain where avalanche problems may exist and use this information to plan a travel route that avoids the problematic terrain.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations. Lingering wind slabs and developing wet loose avalanche problems are the concerns to manage today. Identify specific slopes of concern. Account for changing snowpack stability as daytime warming increases the likelihood of wet loose instability in sun exposed areas.

Moderate avalanche danger continues today due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  These wind slabs exist in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today.  Low avalanche danger continues in below treeline areas. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists in near and above treeline terrain today with LOW danger in below treeline areas. Human triggered wind slab avalanches and loose snow sluffs will remain possible today. Carefully evaluate snowpack and terrain before committing to any slopes and use this information to avoid slopes where avalanche problems may exist.

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE near treeline and above treeline. Avalanche danger is MODERATE below treeline. Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems continue today. Backcountry travelers should not be surprised by human triggered avalanche activity at any elevation. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in many areas. Cautious and conservative terrain decisions and route selection are warranted today. 9:50 am update to add Wet Loose avalanche problem.

 

High Avalanche Danger will exist at all elevations due to the strong atmospheric river storm impacting our area.  Wind slab, storm slab, and loose wet avalanche problems will be very likely at all elevations.  Natural and human triggered avalanches are expected.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.  An avalanche warning has been issued until 7am Tuesday morning. 

Some human-triggered wind slab avalanches may remain possible today. Near and above treeline MODERATE avalanche danger exists in wind-loaded areas. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify features where problematic wind slabs may exist and plan travel routes to avoid them.

Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today on wind-loaded slopes and some human-triggered storm slab avalanches may be possible on sheltered slopes. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. If more snow falls than forecasted, the avalanche danger could rise to CONSIDERABLE. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify where problematic storm slabs and wind slabs may exist and plan travel routes to avoid areas with these avalanche problems.

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Minor wet loose avalanche activity could occur again today in response to daytime warming. Normal caution is advised.

Moderate avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to wind slab avalanche problems.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today.

Large human-triggered wind slab avalanches remain likely today due to gale force winds and heavy snow across the forecast area. Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in near and above treeline terrain and MODERATE in below treeline. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Carefully evaluate the terrain and snowpack before committing to any slope and use this information plan conservative travel routes that avoid the avalanche problems. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists for all elevations today. Wet loose and wind slab avalanche problems remain an ongoing concern. Precipitation intensity will be dramatically less today than yesterday and the snowpack has had time to establish drainage for rain on snow. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Natural avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible today in isolated areas. Exercise caution for travel in or below backcountry avalanche terrain.

 

High avalanche danger will exist throughout today due to wind slab, storm slab, and loose wet avalanche problems.  Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist with natural avalanches likely and human triggered avalanches very likely.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.  Conditions will further deteriorate tonight as an atmospheric river brings additional heavy rain and high elevation snow to our area.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on near and above treeline slopes and MODERATE danger exists in below treeline areas. Human triggered wind slab avalanches are likely today and storm slab avalanches are possible. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and terrain before committing to any backcountry route and use this information to choose appropriate terrain that avoids the avalanche problems. 

MODERATE avalanche danger is expected today for all elevations due to newly formed wind slab, storm slab, and possible wet loose avalanche problems. Avalanche activity is most likely to occur on slopes 35 degrees and steeper but could occur on lower angle slopes down to 30 degrees in some areas, especially below treeline. Increasing avalanche danger is expected late tonight into early Friday morning with CONSIDERABLE danger to possibly HIGH danger occurring overnight.