The hazard will begin MODERATE and rise to CONSIDERABLE on sunny aspects steeper than 35 degrees as the day progresses due to abundant sunshine and temperatures reaching into the upper 40s F. The hazard is MODERATE on all other terrain. Natural and human triggered wet avalanches are likely on steep, sunny slopes and avalanches involving deeper persistent weak layers are also still possible. As the day progresses move onto shadier slopes and avoid being on or under steep, sunny terrain.

Cooling the past two nights helped stabilize the snowpack after unseasonably warm temperatures caused a wet avalanche cycle. A couple of layers within the top 2-3 feet of the snowpack still exhibit signs of instability, and natural and human triggered wet avalanches are possible today on sunny aspects. Thus, the hazard above 5000 ft. is MODERATE and LOW elsewhere. If temperatures rise more than expected with clear skies then the hazard could rise to CONSIDERABLE on sunny aspects.

Cooling the past two nights helped stabilize the snowpack after unseasonably warm temperatures caused a wet avalanche cycle. A couple of layers within the top 2-3 feet of the snowpack still exhibit signs of instability, and natural and human triggered wet avalanches are possible today on sunny aspects. Thus, the hazard above 5000 ft. is MODERATE and LOW elsewhere. If temperatures rise more than expected with clear skies then the hazard could rise to CONSIDERABLE on sunny aspects.

The avalanche hazard is MODERATE on steep slopes above 6000 feet for the lingering possibility of triggering 1.5-3 foot thick persistent slabs. Dig into the snow and look for these layers and see if they are reactive to stability tests. Below 6000 feet the hazard is LOW. Remember that Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Continue to practice safe back country travel technique and perform site specific snow pack assessment.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible on steep slopes above 6000 feet where the hazard is MODERATE. Assess the snow pack for layers of weak snow 1.5-3 feet deep, and choose conservative terrain where it exists and proves reactive. Below 6000 feet the hazard is LOW. Normal caution should be exercised while traveling in the backcountry like carrying your avalanche rescue gear and only exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain.

Human triggered avalanches remain possible on steep slopes above 6000 feet where the hazard is MODERATE. Assess the snow pack for layers of weak snow 1.5-3 feet deep, and choose conservative terrain where it exists and proves reactive. Below 6000 feet the hazard is LOW. Normal caution should be exercised while traveling in the backcountry like carrying your avalanche rescue gear and only exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain.

2-4 inches of new snow fell on a variety of surfaces including surface hoar and crusts. Pay close attention to wind loaded slopes where thicker slabs could be present today. The avalanche hazard is likely to increase as more snow falls today through the week. The next regularly scheduled advisory will be issues Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015.

New snow (4-10 inches) accompanied by moderate to strong winds over the past 48 hours created sensitive wind slabs. These new slabs sit on top of a weak layer of buried surface hoar and a crust. This combination makes the hazard CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes above 5000 feet. Human triggered avalanches are likely in wind loaded terrain today. All other terrain is rated MODERATE where human triggered avalanches are possible. 

New snow (4-10 inches) accompanied by moderate to strong winds over the past 48 hours created sensitive wind slabs. These new slabs sit on top of a weak layer of buried surface hoar and a crust. This combination makes the hazard CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes above 5000 feet. Human triggered avalanches are likely in wind loaded terrain today. All other terrain is rated MODERATE where human triggered avalanches are possible. 

The avalanche hazard will increase throughout the day. The hazard will rise to CONSIDERABLE on all slopes above 5000 feet as heavy, wet snow accumulates over a weak layer of buried surface hoar that sits on a crust. Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop and human triggered avalanches will become more likely as the day progresses. Natural activity will also be possible. Expect the hazard to rise over the next few days as this potent storm moves through the advisory area.

Due to new snow, rain, and moderate to strong winds the hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet. Heavy, wet snow and rain on new snow continues to accumulate over a weak layer of buried surface hoar that sits on a crust throughout most of the advisory area. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and both human triggered and natural avalanches will become more likely as the day progresses. 

The hazard is HIGH above 6000 ft. and CONSIDERABLE below 6000 feet, particularly in the northern part of the ranges. Heavy, wet snow, strong winds, and rain on new snow continues to accumulate over a weak layer of buried surface hoar that sits on a crust throughout most of the advisory area. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and both human triggered and natural avalanches will become more likely as the day progresses. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

In many locations across the advisory area temperatures failed to drop below freezing in the past 24 hours. Warm temperatures combined with moderate to strong wind and rain on a previously weak snow structure created dangerous avalanche conditions. The hazard is HIGH on wind loaded slopes above 6000 feet and travel in this terrain and avalanche run-out zones is not recommended. Other terrain above 5000 feet is rated CONSIDERABLE and human triggered loose, wet and storm slab avalanches are likely.

A substantial amount of wet, heavy snow or rain, strong gusty winds, and warm temperatures created dangerous avalanche conditions. The hazard is HIGH on all slopes above 6000 feet. Travel in avalanche terrain and run-out zones is not recommended. The hazard below 6000 feet is CONSIDERABLE and human triggered storm slab and loose, wet avalanches are likely. At low to mid elevations it is just as important to consider the terrain above you as assessing the slope below.