Rain tapering this morning. Near the Continental Divide snow will fall above 5000 feet with higher snow levels in other areas. Heavy rain fell over the past 36 hours with some areas receiving over 4 inches of precipitation. Free water is still moving through the snowpack. The hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet due to continued rain on snow as well as newly formed storm and wind slabs where snow fell, and MODERATE below 5000 feet. Dangerous avalanche condtions exist.

Rain tapering this morning. Near the Continental Divide snow will fall above 5000 feet with higher snow levels in other areas. Heavy rain fell over the past 36 hours with some areas receiving over 4 inches of precipitation. Free water is still moving through the snowpack. The hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet due to continued rain on snow as well as newly formed storm and wind slabs where snow fell, and MODERATE below 5000 feet. Dangerous avalanche condtions exist.

A warm and wet weather system moved into the region yesterday, rain on snow at high elevations continued overnight and weakened the snow pack. The hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet and MODERATE below 5000 feet. We could see natural and human triggered wet avalanches today that manifest as loose, wet and wet slabs. If venturing out in the rain today, choose low angle conservative terrain. 

Today the hazard will start out as LOW at all elevations. However, with the onset of predicted rain and upper elevation snow, the hazard will rise to MODERATE due to the increased wet avalanche potential. It will be important to pay close attention to changing conditions over the next couple of days as we move into a period of elevated hazard. The hazard could rise more than expected due to uncertainty with timing of the onset of rain this afternoon.

Today the hazard will start out as LOW at all elevations. However, with the onset of predicted rain and upper elevation snow, the hazard will rise to MODERATE due to the increased wet avalanche potential. It will be important to pay close attention to changing conditions over the next couple of days as we move into a period of elevated hazard. The hazard could rise more than expected due to uncertainty with timing of the onset of rain this afternoon.

The hazard above 6000 feet is MODERATE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to above freezing temperatures over the past 48 hours and light rain on snow today. All other terrain is rated LOW. Wet snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes as rain weakens the surface snow. Continued warm temperatures and rain may also reawaken deeper weak layers in isolated areas. Evaluate steep slopes carefully today and watch for obvious signs of wet snow instability.

Spring like conditions will bring a few potential wet snow problems today. The hazard will begin LOW and rise to MODERATE as the day progresses. The wet snow hazard will increase as above normal temperatures and abundant sunshine affect sunny aspects. Glide avalanches are also possible in isolated locations. As the snow surface becomes moist throughout the day move to shadier terrain. Also, watch for lingering wind slabs in isolated locations near ridgetops. 

Spring like conditions will bring a few potential wet snow problems today. The hazard will begin LOW and rise to MODERATE as the day progresses. The wet snow hazard will increase as above normal temperatures and abundant sunshine affect sunny aspects. Glide avalanches are also possible in isolated locations. As the snow surface becomes moist throughout the day move to shadier terrain. Also, watch for lingering wind slabs in isolated locations near ridgetops. 

The hazard is MODERATE on sunny aspects and wind loaded slopes steeper than 35º. All other terrain has a LOW hazard. Above freezing temperatures and ample sunshine will increase wet snow hazard on sunny aspects as the day progresses. Lingering, reactive wind slabs exist in isolated areas, varying in thickness from 6 inches to 2 feet. Avoid sunny aspects in the afternoon when the surface snow becomes wet and evaluate wind loaded slopes before skiing or riding on them.

The hazard is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35º and could rise on sunny aspects as the day progresses with more sun than anticipated. Other terrain has a LOW hazard. Shifting winds in the past week drifted snow onto multiple aspects. These drifts have been slow to gain strength due to the slick surface and weak snow they were formed on. Continue to evaluate wind loaded terrain carefully and avoid sunny aspects if the snow surface becomes wet.

The hazard is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35º and could rise on sunny aspects as the day progresses with more sun than anticipated. Other terrain has a LOW hazard. Shifting winds in the past week drifted snow onto multiple aspects. These drifts have been slow to gain strength due to the slick surface and weak snow they were formed on. Continue to evaluate wind loaded terrain carefully and avoid sunny aspects if the snow surface becomes wet.

The hazard is MODERATE on wind loaded terrain and on sunny aspects. All other terrain has a LOW hazard. Moderate winds switched back to the southwest and began loading leeward slopes yesterday. Wind slabs exist near ridges. Also, abundant sunshine and above freezing temperatures will create a wet snow hazard on sunny aspects as the day progresses. Evaluate wind loaded slopes carefully and avoid sunny aspects by this afternoon.

The avalanche hazard above 5000 feet is MODERATE due to strong winds and a bit of new snow over the past 24 hours and LOW below 5000 feet. Human triggered avalanches are possible particularly on wind loaded slopes today. In some areas a weak layer over the late January crust remains reactive in stability tests. It is unlikely to trigger this persistent slab, but not impossible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern like wind loaded slopes.

The avalanche hazard above 5000 feet is MODERATE due to strong winds and a bit of new snow over the past 24 hours and LOW below 5000 feet. Human triggered avalanches are possible particularly on wind loaded slopes today. In some areas a weak layer over the late January crust remains reactive in stability tests. It is unlikely to trigger this persistent slab, but not impossible. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern like wind loaded slopes.