East Slopes Central

For Tuesday, there's a slight chance of small wet avalanches near the crest of the Cascades. Watch for areas that receive enough rain to moisten snow on steep slopes where the snow had previously stayed dry. Expect warm temperatures, clouds, and light rain dominant on the western edge of the zone and tapering to the east.

Overall, avalanches are unlikely on Tuesday. If you're traveling near the Cascade crest, you may be able to trigger small and isolated wet avalanches on steep slopes (over 35 degrees) where the snow had previously been dry. Watch for avalanches in steep rocky terrain and on the steepest most shaded slopes. The majority of the zone won't receive enough rain to see wet avalanches.

Keep an eye on the surface of shaded slopes for weak snow that could be buried by the next storm. Observers have reported widespread surface hoar and near-surface facets. Rain on Tuesday could be enough to destroy these weak grains before they get buried by snow. Last week, a major east wind event formed slabs and kicked off a series of natural and triggered avalanches. Prior to snowfall on November 30th, widespread surface hoar was found in the North Fork of the Teanaway on all aspects above 5000'. Observers found surface hoar in places like the Chiwaukum Range and to the east on Stevens Pass.  So far, this layer has only been found buried in isolated locations and hasn't been problematic for avalanches.

Snowpack height and coverage varies significantly across the area. Areas near the cascade crest have a substantially deeper snowpack than low elevations and further east. Use our list of weather stations to check how much snow is on the ground in various locations throughout the area.

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