Human triggered wind slab avalanches may remain possible today due to wind slabs lingering in near and above treeline terrain. MODERATE avalanche danger exists on near and above treeline slopes. LOW avalanche danger exists in below treeline areas. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a route. Use this information to identify features of concern like wind slabs and plan a route to avoid those areas of concern.

Moderate avalanche danger exists in near treeline and above treeline terrain due to the possibility of a wind slab avalanche problem.  Low avalanche danger continues in wind protected below treeline terrain.  Identify and avoid areas where active wind loading is occurring or has previously occurred.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists near treeline and above treeline due to wind slabs. Below treeline LOW avalanche danger exists in wind protected areas. Areas of instability will exist within greater surrounding areas of seemingly good stability. This could create a false sense of security. Avoid relying on marginal islands of safety or grouping up in runout zones. Evaluate slopes and terrain carefully, especially when changing elevation bands or changing from one aspect to another.

HIGH avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Due to heavy snow, intense snowfall rates, and gale force winds human triggered wind slab avalanches and storm slab avalanches will be very likely today and natural avalanches will be likely. Some avalanches could be large, deep, and destructive. Travel in or near avalanche terrain or in the runout zones of avalanche paths is not recommended.

Considerable avalanche danger will continue throughout the forecast area as another storm impacts our region.  Wind slab and storm slab avalanche problems will be very likely at all elevations.  Natural triggered avalanches will be possible and human triggered avalanches will be likely.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Conservative decision making and terrain choices are critical today.

LOW avalanche danger continues through the morning hours today. Following the onset of precipitation, MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Avalanche danger will further increasing to CONSIDERABLE danger during the evening and overnight hours at all elevations on slopes 30 degrees and steeper. Expect new wind slabs and storm slabs to form during the afternoon and overnight hours. Natural avalanches are possible tonight.

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. While triggering an avalanche has become unlikely, some unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features and small avalanches could still occur in isolated or extreme terrain. Continue to evaluate the terrain and snowpack while traveling in the backcountry to identify where these isolated areas of unstable snow may still exist.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to newly formed wind slabs and unlikely but not impossible lingering deep slabs. Human triggered avalanches may remain possible today especially in regards to the wind slabs that formed yesterday. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully before committing to any route and use this information to identify and avoid areas of concern. This data can also help find safer areas to recreate where good snow conditions exist.

Considerable avalanche danger exists at all elevations due to wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential today.

HIGH avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects due to a combination of wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems. Travel in avalanche terrain, on or below slopes 30 degrees and steeper is not recommended. Avalanches could run into areas of mature forest. A backcountry avalanche warning is in effect through at least 7 am Wednesday.

Natural and human triggered avalanches are certain today due to the significant amount of rain on snow expected below 9300 ft. and heavy wet snow loading above 9000 ft. Large, deep, destructive wet slab, deep slab, and wind slab avalanches will occur today as well as loose wet avalanches. Avalanches could run farther than expected and involve almost the entire snowpack. Avoid travel in or near avalanche terrain or runout zones today. EXTREME avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Moderate avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area due to deep slab and wind slab avalanches.  Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to be possible with many deep slab avalanches occurring throughout the forecast area within the last 48 hours including a skier triggered deep slab avalanche in the Mt. Rose area yesterday partially burying a skier and a car.  Large avalanches with severe consequences could be human triggered today.   Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

HIGH avalanche danger exists at all elevations today. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely in a variety of areas. Large destructive avalanches could occur. A complex mix of wind slab, storm slab, and deep slab avalanche problems exist. The majority of avalanche activity today is expected on slopes 35 degrees and steeper but could occur on slopes 30 degrees and steeper in isolated areas. A Backcountry Avalanche Warning is in effect until 7 am Thursday.

Human triggered avalanches will be possible today at all elevations due to new wind slabs, new storm slabs, and lingering persistent slabs. Some avalanches could be large and have serious consequences. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully; identify areas where instability may exist, and use this information to avoid those areas of concern. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. As more snow and wind impact the region this week, the avalanche danger will increase.

Moderate avalanche danger continues to be possible throughout most of the forecast area due to persistent slabs.  These persistent slabs are found on slopes steeper than 32 degrees at all elevations mainly along the Sierra Crest.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. 

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger continue to exist at all elevations on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to a combination of wind slabs and persistent slabs. A human triggered wind slab avalanche occurred yesterday with signs of persistent instability present in other areas. Human triggered avalanches are possible again today in a variety of areas. Exercise caution and conservative decision making during backcountry travel.

Some human triggered avalanches may remain possible on specific terrain today due to a combination of storm slabs in near and below treeline terrain and lingering wind slabs in wind-loaded near and above treeline terrain. MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully before committing to any slopes.

This advisory is valid until 12/26 at 7am.

Wind slabs in wind-loaded near and above treeline areas mean that human-triggered avalanches remain likely today and will remain possible tomorrow. In near and below treeline areas, human triggered storm slab avalanches will be possible in some areas both today and tomorrow. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully and use this data to inform your route planning. Cautious and conservative decision-making represents the best plan for recreating in the backcountry. 

Low avalanche danger continues across the forecast area for today at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  Avalanche danger is expected to increase tomorrow as a significant winter storm moves into our area. An avalanche watch has been issued to reflect this expected increase in avalanche danger.

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger linger near and above treeline due to old wind slabs. Below treeline, LOW avalanche danger exists. Avalanche activity has been reported in isolated areas each of the past two days.

MODERATE avalanche danger may exist on NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects in above treeline terrain due to possible wind slabs created by forecasted NE and E winds. These new wind slabs should remain small but could knock a person off their feet. Triggering a deep slab avalanche on NW-N-NE aspects above 9000 ft. has become unlikely but not impossible. At elevations below 9000 ft. less avalanche danger exists, but firm icy slopes with a dusting of snow may exist on all aspects.

Areas above 8000' where the most snow has fallen will have Considerable avalanche danger.  Wind slabs have and will continue to form throughout today on NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects.  Deep persistent slabs will be possible above 9000' on NW-N-NE aspects.  Natural triggered avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely in these areas.  Large destructive avalanches remain possible throughout today.   Firm icy surfaces exist at the lower elevations and could pose dangerous travel conditions with long sliding falls possible. 

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger exist above 8,000' both above and below treeline on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to a combination of newly formed wind slabs above 8,000' and difficult to trigger persistent slabs above 9,000'. Below 8,000' to 9,000' firm icy surfaces exists in many areas and could pose dangerous travel conditions with long sliding falls possible.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists due to possible persistent slabs on high elevation NW-N-NE aspects on slopes steeper than 32 degrees and some unlikely but not impossible wind slabs on wind loaded upper elevation slopes. While avalanches may have become harder to trigger, large destructive human-triggered avalanches remain possible today. In addition to the avalanche danger, firm icy slopes may exist on all aspects up to 9000 ft. due to a frozen rain crust.

Considerable avalanche danger could exist today due to wind slabs and persistent slab avalanches.  Wind slabs could form on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline at snow level and above.  Persistent slabs are possible on North aspects along the Sierra Crest and in the Mt. Rose area.  All other areas will have Moderate avalanche danger.  Dangerous avalanche conditions could exist today-large avalanches are possible in specific terrain areas.

Considerable avalanche danger exists as additional loading of snow and rain occur throughout the region.  Wind slabs will be possible on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline.  Storm slabs will be possible on all aspects below treeline and near treeline where previous snow coverage existed.  Persistent slab avalanches will become possible on N aspects along the Sierra Crest and in the Mt. Rose area.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. Isolated areas of instability are not impossible. Normal caution is advised. Early season conditions exist with numerous shallow buried and exposed obstacles in most areas.

LOW avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations. LOW danger does not mean "no danger" and small avalanches could still occur in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Practice safe backcountry travel habits like moving one at a time from safe zone to safe zone to reduce your risk while traveling through avalanche terrain. Early season conditions exist with numerous exposed and shallowly buried obstacles in most areas.

Low avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region on all aspects and elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  Use proper backcountry travel protocols to further reduce your risk while traveling through avalanche terrain.  Early season conditions exist in most areas.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. A low likelihood, high consequence persistent slab avalanche problem remains on N aspects both above and below treeline in specific areas. Very isolated wind slabs may linger on any aspect in near and above treeline terrain.

Normal caution is advised for managing the wind slab problem. Extra caution and conservative terrain choices are advised for managing the persistent slab problem.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on N aspects steeper than 30 degrees above 8300 ft. along the Sierra Crest and above 9300 ft. in the Mt. Rose area due to a persistent slab problem. MODERATE danger also exists on wind loaded near and above treeline slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to wind slab problems. Wind slabs may exist on any aspect due to the changing winds today. 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on N aspects steeper than 30 degrees in all terrain above 8000 ft. due to possible persistent slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger also exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due wind slabs. Large persistent slab avalanches are possible on true N aspects in the northern portion of the forecast area.

This is a two day advisory, valid now through Thanksgiving Day. Avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects at elevations above 7,000' on slopes 30 to 35 degrees and steeper due to a mix of wind slabs, persistent slabs, and storm slabs. Large persistent slab avalanches are possible on true N aspects in the northern portion of the forecast area.

Early Season Conditions Report #2

Very little snow currently exists throughout the forecast area for over the snow travel.  Daily avalanche advisories will resume in either late November or December as conditions dictate.  Be prepared for changing conditions and increasing avalanche danger as more storms impact our region.

General Fall Avalanche Statement

As rain and high elevation snowfall return to the forecast area, an early season foray into or below snow covered avalanche terrain is not out of the question. Be smart, gear up, and take a strategic approach just as you would mid winter. Really, it is time to focus on continuing education and dusting off previously learned knowledge before winter really arrives. Daily avalanche advisories will resume in either November or December as conditions dictate.

We have stopped issuing daily avalanche advisories for the 2015-2016 season. Avalanche advisories will resume in the fall of 2016.

Avalanche activity can and most likely will continue to occur this spring. This will occur with continued daily wet snow melt-freeze cycles and as additional storm cycles impact the forecast area. Continue to monitor changing conditions and use caution when traveling in the backcountry. For general spring avalanche information please read the full spring avalanche statement.

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form at all elevations and on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper as loose wet avalanche problems develop in response to daytime warming.

MODERATE avalanche danger could exist on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to a combination of wind slabs in near and above treeline areas and loose dry avalanches. Today's avalanche activity should remain small due to the amount of new snow, but some avalanches could cause problems for backcountry travelers especially north of Tahoe City or near terrain traps. If the sun breaks through the clouds, today some small isolated loose wet avalanches could occur on the near and below treeline SE-S-SW aspects. 

Loose wet avalanches will remain possible all day today on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations. These loose wet avalanches will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE for today.  Some of the loose wet avalanches could involve enough snow to threaten backcountry travelers. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists. 

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for all aspects below 9,000' on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing loose wet avalanche problems. The minimal amount of new snow that has deposited under light wind conditions over the upper elevations is not expected to have created new avalanche problems. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists.

MODERATE danger already exists on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations due to the presence of unfrozen loose wet snow. MODERATE danger will persist throughout the day as more loose wet snow forms resulting from daytime warming and rain impacting the area. Loose wet avalanches large enough to threaten backcountry travelers will be possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists. 

After a short window of LOW danger early this morning, MODERATE danger will form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects and elevations starting in the mid morning hours with the most sun-exposed aspects and progressing to other aspects during the day. Loose wet avalanches large enough to threaten backcountry travelers will be possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists. 

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist this morning and continue through the afternoon hours for all elevations and aspects on slope 35 degrees and steeper due to loose wet avalanche problems. Cloud cover last night is expected to have kept overnight snow surface refreeze from occurring in many areas. A period of LOW avalanche danger with supportable snow surface conditions may not exist this morning. A possible wet slab avalanche occurred yesterday in the Mount Rose area. Details are limited.

MODERATE avalanche danger will quickly form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and may form on some sun-exposed near and below treeline NW-N-NE aspects as daytime warming makes loose wet avalanches possible again today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where wet snow deep enough for loose wet avalanches exists.

Loose wet avalanches will become possible today due to daytime warming. MODERATE avalanche danger will form on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and may form on some  below treeline NW-N-NE aspects. Clues like sinking into wet snow above your boot tops or small point releases, roller balls, or pinwheels can help determine when to move to more frozen aspects, onto lower angle slopes, or to switch to a different afternoon activity.

Moderate avalanche danger could exist on NE-E-SE-S-SW-W aspects near and above treeline due to newly forming wind slabs.  These wind slabs should be limited mainly north of Hwy 50 where we received more snow in the last 24 hours.  Loose wet avalanches are unlikely today but could occur if we receive large periods of sun and less cloud cover than forecasted.  Adjust terrain choices and route selection according to localized conditions.

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger are expected to form in response to daytime warming on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations and on NW-N-NE aspects below 8,000' to 8,500'. Loose wet avalanches are possible today. Avalanche size could be large enough to bury a person, especially if a terrain trap is involved.

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning, but MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations as last night's refreeze melts. Loose wet avalanches will become possible due to daytime warming today. Enough warming may also occur on the low elevation NW-N-NE aspects for some loose wet activity as well. Some loose wet snow avalanches could entrain enough snow to pose a threat to backcountry travelers especially in areas where terrain traps exist.

As daytime warming occurs, moderate avalanche danger will become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations due to loose wet avalanche problems.  With overnight and continuing NE winds through today, wind slabs could exist and develop on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects near and above treeline.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern,