East Slopes South

Clouds will compete with mild temperatures over the strength of the surface crusts on sun-exposed slopes and potential moistening of cold N aspects. If you find sticky surface snow or begin punching through a crust, seek lower-angle terrain or colder frozen aspects.

Up to 10" of fresh snow arriving Sunday and Monday experienced plenty of warm temperatures and sunshine to help build thick crusts on E-S-W aspects and likely generated multiple days of diurnal loose wet avalanche cycles. High temperatures hit 54F on Wednesday, 50F on Thursday, and 48F on Friday at Bumping Ridge (4600 ft). 

Temperatures remain mild overnight and should warm further on Saturday with freezing levels toping 7500 ft.  We expect a stabilizing upper snowpack. However, increasing high clouds may create a poor overnight refreeze in some locations, making it easier to break down thinner crusts on some aspects. Those same increasing high clouds may also limit solar radiation during the daytime. A softening surface crust makes for great riding conditions, but if that crust breaks down and you can break through it, expect loose wet avalanches. Previously dry snow on N aspects could become moist and ripe for triggering a loose wet avalanche. Monitor surface conditions carefully and if you find moist or wet snow you can sink into up to your ankle, then steer around higher consequence terrain and seek colder, firmer aspects. Maintain an eye out for nearby fresh avalanche activity as a warning sign that the upper snowpack may be destabilizing more than we expect. 

Continue to give cornices a wide berth as you travel along ridgelines and be aware of the overhead hazard if traveling on slopes below large cornices. Warm temperatures will weaken cornices and make them increasingly likely to collapse.

Observers out in the Tieton River drainage on Saturday found low elevation and steep south-facing slopes starting to melt out as the calendar approaches April. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.