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 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.

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.

Unscheduled Update: Unstable conditions exist on sunny slopes. Temperatures will rise well above freezing and natural and human triggered loose, wet avalanches are likely today. Deeper, persistent slab avalanches are also possible. For today, the hazard is rated CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet. Avoid slopes with sun exposure and avoid being under this terrain. Choose low angle,  shady terrain and assess the snow pack for deeper instabilities which could be triggered by loose, wet avalanches.

Mild temperatures and another shot of rain over night prevented the snow surface from re-freezing. Temperatures will continue to rise today contributing to increased loose, wet avalanche hazard at higher elevations. For today, the hazard is rated CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet on slopes steeper than 35º. Choose low angle, unexposed terrain and assess the snow pack for deeper instability that may have become more reactive due to added weight over the past few days.

Mild temperatures and another shot of rain over night prevented the snow surface from re-freezing. Temperatures will continue to rise today contributing to increased loose, wet avalanche hazard at higher elevations. For today, the hazard is rated CONSIDERABLE above 5000 feet on slopes steeper than 35º. Choose low angle, unexposed terrain and assess the snow pack for deeper instability that may have become more reactive due to added weight over the past few days.

New wet, heavy snow overnight accompanied by rising temperatures and strong wind gusts created unstable conditions. The hazard above 5000 feet is rated CONSIDERABLE on slopes steeper than 35º. Human triggered storm slab avalanches are likely in steep terrain. Storm slab avalanches also have the potential to step down into deeper persistent slabs. Careful snow pack evaluation and conservative decision making are essential today.

The hazard is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees above 6500 feet. The hazard is MODERATE on all other terrain above 5000 feet and LOW below 5000 feet. The Considerable hazard is mostly confined to steep, exposed terrain with hard wind slabs, but with two buried surface hoar layers on many slopes it is still possible to trigger an avalanche elsewhere. Persistent slab avalanches involving deeper weak layers have the potential to be large. 

The hazard is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees above 6500 feet. The hazard is MODERATE on all other terrain above 5000 feet and LOW below 5000 feet. The Considerable hazard is mostly confined to steep, exposed terrain with hard wind slabs, but with two buried surface hoar layers on many slopes it is still possible to trigger an avalanche elsewhere. Persistent slab avalanches involving deeper weak layers have the potential to be large. 

The avalanche hazard today is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes and slopes steeper than 35 degrees above 6000 feet and MODERATE on all other terrain. Strong winds and recent snow over the past 72 hours created wind slabs that are still sensitive to human triggering. A layer of surface hoar within the top 12-16 inches of the snowpack as well as another layer buried more deeply (3-4 feet) make it possible to trigger an avalanche on non-wind loaded slopes today. 

With continued strong, gusty winds and new snow to add depth to unstable wind slabs, the avalanche hazard is HIGH on wind loaded slopes above 5000 feet. Wind loaded terrain at mid to upper elevations and all run-out zones should be avoided. On non-wind loaded slopes the hazard is CONSIDERABLE due to storm slab formation on a weak snow surface and loose, wet avalanche hazard at low elevation. Careful snow pack evaluation and conservative decision making are essential today.

With continued strong, gusty winds and new snow to add depth to unstable wind slabs, the avalanche hazard is HIGH on wind loaded slopes above 5000 feet. Wind loaded terrain at mid to upper elevations and all run-out zones should be avoided. On non-wind loaded slopes the hazard is CONSIDERABLE due to storm slab formation on a weak snow surface and loose, wet avalanche hazard at low elevation. Careful snow pack evaluation and conservative decision making are essential today.

Strong, gusty winds continue to drift snow and create sensitive wind slabs. The avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes above 5000 feet and MODERATE below 5000 feet. The possibility of triggering a persistent slab avalanche remains, particularly in areas near the divide where buried surface hoar is preserved in the snowpack. Stick to slopes that are sheltered from the wind, and carefully evaluate the snow pack for deeper instabilities.

With new snow already falling throughout the advisory area, avalanche conditions will begin to change through the weekend. Pay attention to changing conditions today and watch for obvious signs of instability. This new snow is falling on a variety of surfaces including near surface facets and surface hoar in some locations. Strong winds expected with this storm will also cause wind slabs to form. The next regularly scheduled advisory will be issued Saturday, January 17, 2015.