HOW TO READ THE FORECAST
A daily resource for information about snow and avalanche conditions
Danger Scale
Your starting point for understanding the day’s hazard
We use the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale to rate avalanche danger and provide general travel advice based on the likelihood, size, and distribution of expected avalanches. The danger scale consists of five levels that increase exponentially from low to extreme. Danger ratings often vary between forecast zones and elevation bands.
Categorizing avalanches based on their physical attributes and risk reduction practices
Nine avalanche problem types help us describe the character of the avalanches that we expect to be the most likely and/or dangerous each day. Infographics show the distribution, likelihood, and size of each problem. We also include a brief discussion, as well as visual media from the field observations in our forecast region.
Avalanche Problems
Our daily fieldwork involves traveling throughout our 1.2 million-acre region to observe changing conditions. At the end of each day, we submit a report following the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Guidelines (SWAG).
We log roughly 500 observations from staff, partner organizations, and the public each winter on this site. Descriptions of snow, reports of triggered and natural avalanches, and images from the field help us verify—or question—our assessment of conditions. Along with data from weather stations and models, these observations are the basis for the avalanche forecast.
The observations database can be a resource for you, too. As you prepare for a trip, we recommend checking to see if there are any recent reports from the area you’re planning to visit.
We issue special alert products when large avalanches are very likely or certain in many areas and when unusually dangerous avalanche conditions exist. These bulletins are disseminated through various emergency alert systems to inform people who might otherwise not be tuned into the avalanche forecast.
An Avalanche Watch is issued when dangerous avalanche conditions will develop in 24- 48 hours. Be prepared to adjust your plans. When an Avalanche Warning is issued, dangerous avalanche conditions currently exist and we recommend that you avoid avalanche terrain until conditions improve.
Watch: We have all the ingredients to make tacos.
Warning: We’re making tacos now!
A Special Avalanche Advisory is issued when significant public use is expected and dangerous avalanche conditions exist, but the avalanche conditions do not merit an Avalanche Warning.
Before and after the daily forecast season, we may issue conditions updates two or three times per week. These products discuss avalanche conditions, weather factors, and relevant risk reduction practices but do not list a danger rating or avalanche problems.
In the daily forecast, many technical terms are hyperlinked to entries on the National Avalanche Center’s Encyclopedia. Visit this resource to learn about a wide range of topics.
Operational Partners
