Daytime warming will create enough wet snow on sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects for MODERATE avalanche danger to develop on slopes steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations. Loose wet snow avalanches including roller balls, pinwheels, and point releases will be possible today. Most of these loose wet snow instabilities should remain small, but some of them could entrain enough snow to pose a threat to backcountry travelers especially those that occur around terrain traps.

MODERATE avalanche danger will form on sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees as wet snow forms on these aspects due to daytime warming. Loose wet snow avalanches including roller balls, pinwheels, and point releases will be possible today. This warming will also weaken the large overhanging cornices that exist on the NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects along exposed ridgelines making it possible for them to fail as well. 

Moderate avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to ongoing wind slab problems.  As daytime warming occurs, moderate avalanche danger will also become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations due to loose wet avalanches.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern. 

HIGH avalanche danger is expected today near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper, especially along the Sierra Crest due to ongoing formation of wind slabs and storm slabs. For all other areas CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Natural and human triggered avalanches are expected today and should not be a surprise to backcountry travelers.Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Large destructive avalanches may occur.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes steeper than 35 degrees on all aspects due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches below 8500 ft. and wind slabs on near and above treeline W-NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects above 8500 ft. Some human triggered avalanches will be possible today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and identify areas where avalanche problems might exist.

Moderate avalanche danger exists due to the possibility of wind slabs and loose wet avalanches.  Ongoing SW winds could continue to build wind slabs on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible throughout the day as temperatures warm and snow levels increase on all aspects below treeline.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify areas of concern.

On the heels of another period of HIGH avalanche danger last night, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist today near and above treeline on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing wind slab formation. In wind protected areas below treeline, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to potential storm slabs. Large human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Natural avalanches are possible.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations today due to newly formed wind slabs on wind loaded slopes above 8000 ft. and rain on snow creating loose wet snow instabilities on slopes below 8000 ft. Human triggered avalanches will be possible today.

Expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly as the next storm impacts the region tonight. Periods of HIGH avalanche danger may occur tonight as natural wind slab avalanches and storm slab avalanches become likely after midnight. 

The avalanche danger will remain LOW today. As the day warms up, some small loose wet snow instabilities may still form on isolated terrain features below 8500 ft. on sun-exposed aspects, on slopes where wet snow exists on top of drier snow, or on slopes that receive rain today. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. 

Low avalanche danger exists through the early morning hours on all aspects and elevations.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet instabilities.

 

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger are exected to form at all elevations on SE-S-SW aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper in response to daytime warming. Isolated areas of loose wet instability may occur on W-NW-N-NE-E aspects as well.

This morning the avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. MODERATE avalanche danger will form on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees as human triggered loose wet avalanches become possible. Some small isolated wet snow instabilities may also form on northerly aspects. Most loose wet snow instabilities should remain small today but some could be large enough to pose a danger to backcountry travelers especially on slopes that receive direct sun and less wind today. 

Avalanche danger is low for all aspects and elevations through the early morning hours.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches.  Isolated loose wet instability may occur on some NW-N-NE aspects as well.

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Small wind slabs may form today near and above treeline on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may form in response to daytime warming mainly on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches. Isolated loose wet instability may occur in some areas on NW-N-NE aspects as well.

MODERATE avalanche danger still exists on wind loaded near and above treeline NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees due to lingering wind slabs. Depending on the amount of daytime warming that occurs today, enough wet snow may form on the E-SE-S-SW-W aspects steeper than 35 degrees for the avalanche danger to rise to MODERATE on those slopes as well due to loose wet snow instabilities. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today.

UPDATED at 8:30 am.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations with MODERATE danger elsewhere due wind slabs and storm slabs. Large human triggered avalanches that run long distances and involve large amounts of snow are likely today and natural avalanches may remain possible this morning. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Identify where wind slabs and storm slabs exist and avoid them and their run out zones.

Avalanche danger for today is Low on all aspects and elevations.  In the afternoon hours, isolated human triggered loose wet avalanches could become possible on E-SE-S-SW aspects on slopes steeper than 37 degrees.  Normal caution is advised.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. Human triggered loose wet avalanches may occur this afternoon in isolated areas on E-SE-S-SW aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper. Normal caution is advised.

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning while the snowpack remains frozen. As the day warms up and last night's refreeze melts, pockets of MODERATE danger will quickly form slopes steeper than 35 degrees on E-SE-S-SW aspects due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches. Small human triggered roller balls, pinwheels, and point-releases should comprise most of the loose wet activity, but some loose wet avalanches could involve enough snow to cause problems for backcountry travelers. 

Low avalanche danger will exist on all aspects and elevations in the early morning hours.  As daytime warming begins, pockets of Moderate avalanche danger will become possible on E-SE-S-SW aspects at all elevations due to loose wet avalanche instabilities.  On W-NW-N-NE aspects at all elevations, avalanche danger will remain Low throughout the day.

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger will form quickly in response to daytime warming on E-SE-S-SW aspects at all elevations on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. On W-NW-N-NE aspects, avalanche danger will remain LOW. Isolated wind slabs may exist above treeline on S-SW-W-NW-N aspects, but are not expected to be a widespread avalanche problem today.

LOW avalanche danger exists this morning. As the day warms up, some pockets of MODERATE danger may form on sun-exposed SE-S-SW aspects steeper than 35 degrees up to 9500 ft. due to the possibility of some small loose wet snow instabilities like pinwheels, roller-balls, and point release avalanches. Most of these loose wet snow instabilities should remain small and isolated, but a few could entrain enough snow to create issues for backcountry travelers on slopes that experience the most warming. 

MODERATE avalanche danger may form on sun-exposed near and below treeline E-SE-S-SW-W aspects as well as on some above treeline SE-S-SW aspects due to the possibility of loose wet snow instabilities. Wet surface snow and small instabilities like pin wheels and roller balls can indicate that loose wet avalanches have become possible. The amount of warming that actually occurs today will dictate how widespread these possible wet snow instabilities may be. 

Moderate avalanche danger exists on all aspects near treeline and above treeline due to existing wind slabs and new wind slab development due to shifting winds.  Low avalanche danger exists on all aspects below treeline.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern.

Upper end MODERATE avalanche danger exists today for all elevations and aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to a combination of newly formed wind slab, storm slab, and loose dry avalanche problems. Natural avalanche activity in not expected today, but isolated natural activity is certainly not out of the question. Human triggered avalanches are expected today and should not be a surprise to backcountry travelers.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to a combination of wet snow instabilities caused by rain on snow and newly formed wind slabs at the upper elevations. Human triggered loose wet avalanches and wind slab avalanches are likely today and some isolated wet slab avalanches may be possible. People traveling in the backcountry should make careful snowpack evaluations, use cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making, and expect to get very wet.

Avalanche danger remains low on all aspects and elevations.  Isolated areas of instability may exist.  Normal caution is advised.

MODERATE avalanche danger is expected today above treeline on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper in areas where new wind slabs form this morning. For all other areas, LOW avalanche danger exists. Normal caution is advised. Very isolated deep persistent slab avalanches are unlikely but not impossible in open near treeline and below treeline areas on N-NE-E aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper.

Human triggered avalanches are likely today on NW-N-NE-E aspects and some W and SE aspects at all elevations on slopes steeper than 32 degrees due to newly formed wind slabs and the possibility of deep persistent slabs. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. Today's avalanches could be large and have severe consequences and may occur in areas traditionally considered safe especially in the case of the deep persistent slabs. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential.

Even though avalanches have become more difficult to trigger, human triggered avalanches remain possible on some NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects at all elevations due to lingering persistent slabs and wind slabs. The persistent slabs could occur on slopes steeper than 32 degrees, while the wind slabs would be more problematic on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. The avalanche danger is MODERATE today, but the consequences of a human triggered avalanche would be serious. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Moderate avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations through the morning hours.  As the incoming storm intensifies by mid day, avalanche danger will rise to considerable.  Wind slabs will develop on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects near and above treeline and persistent slabs will be possible on N-NE-E aspects near treeline and below treeline on slopes 32 degrees or steeper.  Natural avalanche activity will become possible this afternoon with human triggered avalanche activity possible to likely all day.  

 

MODERATE avalanche danger continues at all elevations on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to a combination of persistent slabs and storm slabs. Human triggered avalanches remain a near daily occurrence within the forecast area. Identify the necessary differences between managing wind slab and persistent slab avalanche problems and adjust terrain selection and travel practices accordingly. Increasing avalanche danger is expected tonight into tomorrow morning.

On slopes steeper than 30 degrees, CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects at all elevations due to a combination of wind slabs and persistent slabs. Large human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible. Unusual avalanche conditions exist. Avalanches on steeper slopes could be remotely triggered by a person standing in lower angle terrain or may be triggered in places traditionally considered safe. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential.

Considerable avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects at all elevations due to persistent slabs and newly forming wind slabs.  On S-SW-W aspects at all elevations Moderate avalanche danger exists.  Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential today.

Unusual avalanche conditions persist with pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger in open areas at and below treeline on N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Persistent slabs associated with the Jan 5 buried surface hoar layer exist in some areas. Where this weak layer is absent, LOW avalanche danger exists. Avoid steep terrain adjacent to areas of recent avalanche activity, even if the crown and debris are covered under a couple inches of new snow and now look old.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible today due to new wind slabs and old and new persistent slabs. Persistent slabs exist on open slopes in near and below treeline terrain on W-NW-N-NE-E aspects. Wind slabs will exist on wind loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. MODERATE avalanche danger exists in those areas on slopes 32 degrees and steeper. Remotely triggered avalanches and avalanches that propagate long distances are possible today especially in near and below treeline terrain.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible today due to lingering wind slabs and storm slabs. MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all elevations and aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to any slopes. 

Avalanche danger will rise to considerable today on slopes 32 degrees and steeper on all aspects and elevations due to wind slabs and storm slabs.  Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches will be likely today.  Areas of greatest danger will be along the Sierra Crest and South of Hwy. 50.  For other areas avalanche danger will range from Moderate to Considerable.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, cautious route finding and conservative decision making will be essential today. 

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. Small wind slabs are a lingering issue today near and above treeline on NW-N-NE aspects. These wind slabs might remain sensitive to human triggering in isolated areas. Avalanche size is expected to remain too small to bury a person unless highly defined terrain traps are involved. Normal caution is advised.

 

This advisory will cover Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The next update to the avalanche advisory will occur on Jan. 2 at 7:00 am. 

The avalanche danger remains low on all aspects and elevations. While avalanches remain unlikely, some unstable snow could linger on isolated terrain features. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger is low for all aspects and elevations.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.  Normal caution is advised today-use basic travel techniques to minimize risk.

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline on all aspects and near treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. For all other areas expect LOW avalanche danger. Wind slabs remain an ongoing problem with two small human triggered wind slab avalanches reported yesterday.

 

Human triggered avalanches will remain possible today on slopes 35 degrees and steeper at all elevations on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects and in above treeline terrain on all aspects. Wind slabs, loose dry avalanches, and some isolated storm slabs represent the main avalanche problems today with deep slabs on NW-N-NE aspects representing a very unlikely but not impossible problem. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope.

Avalanche danger is moderate on all aspects and elevations on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to wind slabs and deep persistent slabs.  Our snowpack has doubled in size in most areas with a heavy, wet, dense layer of new snow.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today with large destructive avalanches possible in some areas.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

Increasing avalanche danger will occur throughout the day today and tonight. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will exist today both near and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects as well as below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper. For all other areas, MODERATE avalanche danger exists. HIGH avalanche danger is expected to form tonight and last into the pre dawn hours tomorrow.

 

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations on NW-N-NE aspects and in near and above treeline terrain on E-SE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper due to the combination of wind slabs and persistent slabs. Where persistent slabs exist avalanches could occur on lower angle slopes as shallow as 25 degrees. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope. If more snow falls than forecast, the avalanche danger could increase. Human triggered avalanches are possible today. 

The avalanche danger has decreased to LOW for all elevations and aspects. LOW avalanche danger means that while avalanche activity may be unlikely, it is not impossible. Unstable snow in the form of small isolated wind slabs or persistent slabs could still exist on isolated terrain features especially in complex or extreme terrain.

Pockets of Moderate avalanche danger exist on all aspects above treeline and on NW-N-NE aspects near treeline and below treeline.  Low danger exists for all other areas.  Avalanche problems for today consist of wind slabs and persistent slabs.  In isolated areas, human triggered avalanches are possible today.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern.

CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger will form today above and below treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 32 degrees and steeper. MODERATE avalanche danger for all other areas. Wind slabs and persistent slabs are todays avalanche problems. Significant uncertainty surrounds the potential for buried surface hoar below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects. Where surface hoar is buried, avalanche danger may exceed the regional rating of CONSIDERABLE and avalanche activity may occur on low angle slopes down to 25 degrees.