The current storm will cause dangerous avalanche conditions today. As the day progresses, unstable conditions will become more widespread. Human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible. The avalanche danger above 5000 feet is CONSIDERABLE and could rise to HIGH by this evening. Below 5000 feet, the danger is MODERATE where it is possible to trigger an avalanche.

Over the past week wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects at upper elevation locations. Most of these have had time to strengthen but isolated pockets of instability may still exist, particularly in the alpine terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded terrain above 6000 feet where human triggered avalanches are possible. Carefully evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

Over the past week wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects at upper elevation locations. Most of these have had time to strengthen but isolated pockets of instability may still exist, particularly in the alpine terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded terrain above 6000 feet where human triggered avalanches are possible. Carefully evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

New thin wind slabs formed yesterday and overnight on atypical aspects. Larger and more widespread wind slabs were formed earlier in the week on typical leeward aspects.  The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 6000 feet.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today on wind loaded slopes. Carefully evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas Day!

Impressively windy conditions, combined with new snow, formed wind slabs earlier this week. New snow overnight and throughout today, combined with northeasterly winds, will form thin wind slabs on atypical slopes. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000 feet.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today, particularly on wind loaded slopes. Carefully evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

Impressively windy conditions, combined with new snow, formed wind slabs earlier this week. New snow overnight and throughout today, combined with northeasterly winds, will form thin wind slabs on atypical slopes. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000 feet.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today, particularly on wind loaded slopes. Carefully evaluate all wind loaded terrain before committing to a slope. 

Consistent moderate to strong winds over the past week drifted recent snow and formed slabs on variable surfaces. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000 feet.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today, particularly on wind loaded slopes. Carefully evaluate wind loaded terrain and keep in mind that you may encounter a fresh wind slab in areas that you don't expect them. 

Though natural avalanche activity diminished in the past 24 hours it remains possible for skiers or riders to trigger an avalanche, particularly in recently windloaded terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000 feet.  Carefully evaluate recently windloaded areas before you commit to a slope. Keep in mind that winds in the past few days were strong enough to transport snow lower on the slope and into places that may be typically sheltered.   

Though natural avalanche activity diminished in the past 24 hours it remains possible for skiers or riders to trigger an avalanche, particularly in recently windloaded terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 5000 feet.  Carefully evaluate recently windloaded areas before you commit to a slope. Keep in mind that winds in the past few days were strong enough to transport snow lower on the slope and into places that may be typically sheltered.   

The strong winds and new snow from the recent storm have passed, but dangerous conditions still exist. Natural wind slabs are possible at upper elevations and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Heavier, new snow buried a varitey of surfaces that developed over the last week of colder weather. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential. The danger is CONSIDERABLE above 6000 feet and MODERATE below this elevation.

Continued new snow, strong winds, and rising temperatures over the past 48 hours created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely at upper elevations. Heavier, new snow buries much lighter snow and weak layers that developed over the last week of colder weather. The danger will rise to HIGH above 6000 feet by this afternoon and CONSIDERABLE below this elevation. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. 

Continued new snow, strong winds, and rising temperatures over the past 48 hours created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely at upper elevations. Heavier, new snow buries much lighter snow and weak layers that developed over the last week of colder weather. The danger will rise to HIGH above 6000 feet by this afternoon and CONSIDERABLE below this elevation. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. 

A strong wind event entered our area last night and will last throughout the day. These winds will drift the low density surface snow onto leeward aspects at mid and upper elevations. These winds may deposit this snow at a lower elevation than usual. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on upper elevation wind loaded terrain and MODERATE on all other slopes. Evaluate wind loaded terrain and look for signs of instability like cracking, collapsing and hollow sounding snow.

Increasing wind speeds yesterday afternoon and overnight have likely drifted snow and formed thin wind slabs on leeward aspects in alpine locations. These slabs will generally be found as isolated pockets in typical favored wind locations. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on upper elevation wind loaded terrain and LOW on all other slopes. Evaluate wind loaded terrain and look for signs of instability like cracking and collapsing.