Wind speeds increased overnight and will remain elevated through the day forming thin wind slabs at upper elevations. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 6000' where wind loaded slabs exist in leeward and crossloaded terrain and a loose dry avalanche problem exists in sheltered terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible and may entrain substantial snow and travel long distances. Note cracking in the surface snow to identify slabs and look for areas with substantial loose snow above a crust. 

The return of snow and wind has increased the avalanche hazard. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000' where wind loaded slabs exist in leeward and crossloaded terrain and relatively dense snow was deposited on weak surface snow in sheltered areas. Human triggered avalanches are possible and may entrain substantial snow and travel long distances. Look for tell tale cracking and collapsing in the surface snow to identify slabs and noting areas with substantial loose snow above a crust. 

The return of snow and wind has increased the avalanche hazard. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000' where wind loaded slabs exist in leeward and crossloaded terrain and relatively dense snow was deposited on weak surface snow in sheltered areas. Human triggered avalanches are possible and may entrain substantial snow and travel long distances. Look for tell tale cracking and collapsing in the surface snow to identify slabs and noting areas with substantial loose snow above a crust. 

Expect increasing avalanche hazard over the next 24 hours with the arrival of new snow and strong west winds. For today, avalanche danger is LOW at lower/ mid elevations and will rise to MODERATE at upper elevations.  Keep your head up for isolated areas of unstable, loose dry snow on steep, shady aspects and watch for fresh slab formation in windloaded features. Evaluate the addition of new snow to our snowpack before committing to a slope.

Yesterday’s short-lived snowfall event did little to change the avalanche conditions. The avalanche danger is rated LOW on all slopes with generally safe riding conditions. Keep your head up for isolated areas of unstable, loose dry snow or point releases. Evaluate the potential of a point release on small test slopes before expanding your riding terrain to steeper, more complex slopes with potentially higher consequences.

Yesterday’s short-lived snowfall event did little to change the avalanche conditions. The avalanche danger is rated LOW on all slopes with generally safe riding conditions. Keep your head up for isolated areas of unstable, loose dry snow or point releases. Evaluate the potential of a point release on small test slopes before expanding your riding terrain to steeper, more complex slopes with potentially higher consequences.

A prolonged dry spell has left us with LOW avalanche danger and generally safe conditions.  Watch for isolated areas of unstable snow, especially point release avalanches in consequential terrain.  With widespread persisent weak layers on the snow surface, the pump is primed for future problems.  Now is a great time to explore more complex terrain. 

Today is another great day to travel into the mountains and take advantage of generally stable avalanche conditions and unseasonably nice weather.  Watch for isolated areas of unstable snow, especially point release avalanches in extreme or hazardous terrain.  

Today is another great day to travel into the mountains and take advantage of generally stable avalanche conditions and unseasonably nice weather.  Watch for isolated areas of unstable snow, especially point release avalanches in extreme or hazardous terrain.  

The avalanche danger is LOW on all slopes due to a lack of recent snow. Continued warm sunny conditions will affect the surface snow resulting in a continued wet loose avalanche problem at middle and upper elevations. Isolated wind slabs exist on upper elevation slopes favored by wind loading. Evaluate the moisture content of the surface snow along with all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

The avalanche danger is LOW on all slopes due to a lack of recent snow. Isolated wind slabs exist on upper elevation slopes favored by wind loading. Look for rounded pillows of snow and obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing. Warm sunny conditions are weakening the surface snow on sunny aspects creating a wet loose problem. Evaluate the moisture content of the surface snow along with all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

The avalanche danger is LOW on all slopes due to a lack of recent snow. Isolated wind slabs exist on upper elevation slopes favored by wind loading. Look for rounded pillows of snow and obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing. Warm sunny conditions are weakening the surface snow on sunny aspects creating a wet loose problem. Evaluate the moisture content of the surface snow along with all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects at all elevations due to recent benign weather. Isolated wind slabs exist on upper elevation slopes favored by wind loading. Look for rounded pillows of snow and obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing. Evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. Continue to carry avalanche safety gear, practice using it, and follow  safe travel techniques that you would mid-winter.

Early Season Snowpack Update:  Recent snowfall has brought improved riding conditions at upper elevations, but isolated instabilities may exist as you climb into wind affected terrain.  Watch for shallow wind slabs on steep, wind-loaded slopes where the consequences of a slide could be dangerous.  Stability will continue to improve over the course of the week under a stagnant weather pattern.  The FAC will begin daily forecasts on December 9th.