West Slopes South

If you’re out enjoying the sunny mountains, keep an eye on the snow surface as an indication that conditions are changing. First thing in the morning the snow will be firm, so be careful. Slipping in the wrong spot could lead to an uncontrollable fall. 

Generally safe avalanche conditions should persist on Friday as our unseasonably warm and dry weather continues across the West South. That doesn’t mean that hazards do not exist if you choose to travel in the mountains, so here are some things for you to think about.

• Temperatures have been very warm around the zone, with NWAC weather stations on the volcanoes registering temperatures in the 50s and not dipping below freezing at night. Temperatures closer to the crest have been slightly cooler, but still warm for January. Southerly facing ridgelines and rocky areas that receive direct sunshine have melted back significantly over this period. The reason we have not been dealing with a more concerning wet avalanche cycle is that long and clear January nights have allowed the heat from the snowpack to radiate toward outer space, creating a surface freeze.
• That doesn’t mean that wet avalanches can’t occur. It’s just that the likelihood is lower. If snow softens enough during the daylight hours, Wet Loose avalanches could occur on steep slopes that see direct sunshine. These could be more likely near rocky outcrops or cliffs where the snowpack is shallower. Additionally, cornices could collapse due to the warm temperatures, or blocks of snow and ice could slide off smooth slopes. Be cognizant of how the snow surface is changing and if there are overhead hazards wherever you are traveling. If you are sinking in the snow past your ankle, start to think about the potential for these avalanches.
• The firmest travel conditions are typically found in the morning on all aspects and elevations. As the day wears on, snow surfaces have often been softening on slopes that see direct sunshine. Shadier slopes may see some softening, but generally speaking, they have remained firm or are variable including breakable crust or pockets of wind-deposited snow. 
• If you find that you are traveling on a firm surface, the avalanche hazard may be lower, but the travel hazard may be elevated. You should carry the equipment necessary to travel over icy slopes and be sure you are able to stop yourself in the case of a slip and uncontrollable fall. Falling a long way is obviously a scary proposition, but you don’t have to slide very far to be injured if terrain traps are involved. Choose travel routes that minimize this hazard by staying away from cliffs or other downslope dangers.

Since the snowpack is generally strong, we are not currently tracking any layers within it. However, with the hope of snow on the horizon this weekend, now is the time to start thinking about snow surfaces and how they may affect the avalanche hazard going forward. If you’re out and about, let us know what kind of surfaces you are finding in avalanche terrain. Let us know if you find weak snow such as facets or surface hoar. Or maybe you're finding strong rounded grains. We'd like to hear about that too. Send a picture and your location through our public observation platform. Don’t worry if you’re not entirely sure what you're seeing, we’ll do the dirty work and figure it out. Thanks in advance!