CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on slopes steeper than 32 degrees on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects due to a combination of new wind slabs and persistent slabs. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Large human triggered avalanches will be likely today and some natural avalanches will be possible.

Avalanche danger remains low for all aspects and elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.  Early season conditions exist with low snow coverage and many obstacles present.

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. Small isolated pockets of unstable snow may exist. Normal caution is advised. It is still early season with generally shallow snow coverage and numerous poorly covered obstacles to hit.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects steeper than 35 degrees in near and above treeline terrain due to new wind slabs. Some isolated pockets of MODERATE danger may exist on NW-N-NE aspects steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations north of Emerald Bay due to storm slabs forming above a lingering persistent weak layer. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope instead of letting the excitement of early season snow lead to poor decision making.

The avalanche danger remains LOW on all aspects and elevations. Avalanches remain unlikely but not impossible. Some unstable snow could still exist on isolated terrain features due to the presence of lingering persistent weak layers. The shallow snowpack means that numerous rocks, stumps, logs and other hazards remain exposed or barely covered. 

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations and aspects. The potential exists for the unlikely triggering of small avalanches in isolated areas. Continue to use accepted best practice travel techniques while traveling in or below avalanche terrain. Keep exposure limited to one person at a time and avoid grouping in avalanche run out zones.

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Small avalanches in isolated areas are quite possible given the current snowpack structure. Triggering is unlikely, but far from impossible. This fits the definition of LOW avalanche danger. It is a myth that LOW danger equals no danger. Exercise best practice backcountry travel techniques and manage terrain wisely.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Wind slabs represent the primary avalanche concern on near and above treeline slopes with loose dry sluffs posing more of an issue in sheltered terrain. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope instead of letting the excitement of early season snow lead to poor decision making. 

The avalanche danger will increase to CONSIDERABLE on near and above treeline NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects 35 degrees and steeper by this afternoon and evening. Human triggered avalanches will become likely as new wind slabs will form on these slopes. MODERATE avalanche danger will form on the remaining aspects and elevations where avalanches could take the form of loose dry instabilities or isolated storm slabs by later this afternoon. 

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Small isolated pockets of instability may linger in complex or extreme terrain. Normal caution such as one at a time travel and avoiding grouping up while in or below avalanche terrain is advised.

The avalanche danger remains LOW on on all aspects and elevations. While avalanches have become unlikely, they are not impossible. Small avalanches can still occur in isolated areas or extreme terrain during LOW danger. Continue to use caution and watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features when traveling in the backcountry. It early season and numerous hard immovable objects remain exposed or just barely covered. 

LOW avalanche danger exists on on all aspects and elevations. LOW danger means that avalanches are unlikely, not impossible. Some unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features especially in complex or extreme terrain where the recent N-NE winds did not scour away previous wind slabs. Continue to use caution when travelling in the backcountry.

It early season and numerous exposed or barely covered season-ending obstacles exist. While the avalanche danger has decreased, these hazards remain.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists today in the majority of areas on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Wind slabs are a problem on all aspects in near and above treeline areas. Storm slabs remain a problem on NW-N-NE aspects both near and below treeline. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Human triggered avalanches remain possible.

 

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. The possibility of lingering wind slabs remains in near and above treeline terrain. Shallow snow cover and rocks remain a significant hazard. On Sunday, a significant increase in avalanche danger is expected to occur as new snow accumulates across the forecast area.

General Fall Avalanche Statement

Snowfall has returned to the high country. Here are some things to think about if you choose to make an early season foray into or below snow covered avalanche terrain. Daily avalanche advisories will resume in either November or December as conditions dictate. Until that time, occasional updates to this page will occur as conditions warrant.

We have stopped issuing daily avalanche advisories for the 2014-2015 season due to significantly warmer than normal temperatures and below average precipitation this winter. Avalanche advisories will resume in the fall of 2015.

Avalanche activity can and most likely will continue to occur this spring 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.

Avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. Some small loose wet snow instabilities could still occur on some steep slopes today on any aspect where snow cover still exists. While these loose wet snow instabilities should remain minor inconveniences in most places, they could become more problematic near terrain traps (like cliffs) where the terrain can magnify the consequences of any size avalanche.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Minor loose wet instabilities are expected during the afternoon hours. Loose wet avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person are unlikely. Normal caution is advised. Sufficient snow cover for avalanche activity on SE-S-SW-W aspects exists only in isolated portions of the forecast area. Much deeper, continuous snow cover exists on NW-N-NE-E aspects.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW in most places today. Small human triggerable wind slabs may linger on isolated terrain features on previously wind loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. These terrain features could include extreme or complex terrain, wind loaded slopes above cliffs, other unsupported slopes, couliors, and gullies. If enough warming occurs today, some small isolated loose wet snow instabilities may also form.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. As new snow and wind arrive over the forecast area tonight and tomorrow the avalanche danger may increase.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Minor loose wet instabilities are expected during the afternoon hours. Loose wet avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person are unlikely. Normal caution is advised. Sufficient snow cover for avalanche activity on SE-S-SW-W aspects exists only in isolated portions of the forecast area. Much deeper, continuous snow cover exists on NW-N-NE-E aspects.

This morning the avalanche danger is LOW due to a solid overnight refreeze. By this afternoon pockets of MODERATE danger could form on isolated SE-S-SW-W aspects that still have snow, sun-exposed E aspects, and slopes on any aspects that actually receive rain today. Daytime warming and a chance of isolated rain showers may allow enough wet snow to form in these areas for small human triggered loose wet avalanches to become possible on slopes 37 degrees and steeper.

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist at all elevations and on all aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper. Human triggered loose wet avalanches remain possible today. Some wet slab avalanches may also become possible on isolated terrain features where wet snow exists above an impermeable bed surface. Since most of the snow has melted away from the SE-S-SW-W aspects, wet snow instabilities on these aspects will remain limited to the isolated slopes that still have snow cover.

Avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations and aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper due to a suspected poor overnight snow surface refreeze and subsequent loose wet and wet slab avalanche concerns. Continuous snow cover on SE-S-SW-W aspects sufficient to allow for avalanche activity exists only in isolated areas.

Avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. Some shallow, small, isolated wind deposits or loose wet snow instabilities that do not entrain enough snow to do much more than knock a person off balance might exist on some isolated terrain features steeper than 35 degrees. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Some small loose wet snow instabilities could still occur on some steep slopes today on any aspect. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Small loose wet avalanches remain possible in isolated areas on all aspects. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. LOW danger means avalanche activity remains unlikely but not impossible. Some areas of unstable snow could still exist on isolated terrain features. Some small loose wet snow instabilities may occur on steep sun-exposed slopes today.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Remember LOW danger means that areas of unstable snow can still exist on isolated terrain features. Even though human triggered avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible. Watch for small loose wet snow instabilities on sun exposed slopes and isolated, small, unlikely wind slabs in more extreme terrain.

Pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger linger near and above treeline on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to recently formed wind slabs. Pockets of MODERATE danger are possible above 8,000' in near and below treeline terrain on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to potential developing persistent slabs. For all other areas, avalanche danger is LOW. Thoughtful, deliberate decision making remains paramount for avoiding human triggered avalanches in the backcountry today.

MODERATE avalanche danger exists on slopes 35 degrees and steeper at all elevations and on all aspects today due to newly formed wind slabs, storm slabs, and some persistent slabs. The NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects represent the best places to trigger an avalanche since more than one avalanche problem may exist on those aspects. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully to make backcountry travel decisions. Human triggered avalanches are possible today.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW at all elevations and on all aspects today. While daytime warming may cause some minor surface softening on sun exposed aspects, it should not create enough wet snow to pose a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Very small pockets of wet snow instability may form today in sun exposed areas that received new snow on Feb 22. Normal caution is advised.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW at all elevations and on all aspects today. The meager amount of new snowfall expected today should not increase the avalanche hazard unless snow accumulations greatly exceed expectations. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW at all elevations and on all aspects today. Many of the northerly aspects should remain firm and frozen while other sun-exposed aspects should experience some surface softening. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects.

Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects again today. While avalanches are unlikely, a few scattered loose wet avalanches are not impossible on some isolated terrain features. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger should remain LOW for all elevations and aspects again today. Some small loose wet avalanches may become possible on isolated terrain features on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. While larger loose wet avalanches and wet slab avalanches remain unlikely, they are not impossible. Use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely, but far from impossible today. A very low probability, high consequence scenario lingers with a difficult to trigger large persistent slab avalanche concern in isolated areas above 8,700' on NW-N-NE aspects on slopes 37 degrees and steeper. Isolated small human triggered loose wet avalanches remain a possibility again today as warming continues.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Above 8,000 ft, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to the presence of dense wind slabs and persistent slabs. If any avalanches do occur today, they could break above the person who triggers them and result involve a large amount of heavy dense snow that could easily bury or injure a person. Don't let the new snow lead to careless decision making.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Above 8,000 ft, MODERATE avalanche danger exists on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to lingering dense wind slabs and storm slabs. Some isolated areas of unstable storm slabs may linger on isolated terrain features on other aspects. Don't let the new snow lead to careless decision making. Specifically choosing slopes based on slope angle will be the difference between "getting lucky" and "getting it done" in the backcountry today.

For much of this morning, avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Following the onset of precipitation, avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE danger on all aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper during the afternoon and evening hours. Avalanche danger will further increase to CONSIDERABLE danger in these same areas during the overnight hours. Human triggered avalanches will become likely and natural avalanches possible as high intensity precipitation occurs tonight and tomorrow morning.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for all aspects and elevations today. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today for all aspects and elevations. LOW danger does not mean no danger and unlikely does not mean impossible. Some small, shallow, isolated areas of unstable snow could still exist on some isolated terrain features. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects.

Normal caution is advised.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today on all aspects and elevations. LOW danger does not mean no danger and unlikely does not mean impossible. Some small, shallow, isolated areas of unstable snow could linger on isolated terrain features in the form of small wind slabs or loose snow sluffs. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today on all aspects and elevations. Today's light snow accumulation and light winds should not create significant avalanche harzards unless more snow falls than forecasted. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Minor surface wet snow instabilities are possible during the afternoon hours, but are not expected to present a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. Normal caution is advised.

The avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Other hazards including icy conditions and a shallow snowpack with lots of obstacles remain. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.