How to Read the Danger Rose

The danger rose displays avalanche danger by elevation and aspect  (which direction the slope faces).  Imagine looking down on a cone-shaped mountain.  The center of the circle is the top of the mountain and the outside of the circle is the bottom of the mountain.  N, E, S and W represent north, east, south and west.  If we painted the colors onto a real-world slope it might look something like the photo.

· Remember that the diagram also represents local variations in aspect on the same slope.  For instance even though the south facing slopes at lower elevations are colored green,  parts of a south facing slopes may face east or west, such as the sides of gullies or bowls.

· Also, remember that it is only an approximate graphical representation of avalanche danger and exceptions always exist.

 

 

High Elevation

Low Elevation

North

 

Danger colors from the avalanche rose painted onto real-world terrain