East Slopes North

There likely isn't much snow left hanging onto steep, rocky slopes that could shed. But with warming temperatures, monitor the terrain above you and don't linger beneath overhead hazards in sunny terrain. Travel is still challenging, with breakable crusts on many aspects and elevations, so allow extra time to get in and out of the mountains safely. 

The warming trend will continue for the next few days, with snow levels topping out at around 11000ft on Monday afternoon. Once again, we will develop inversions, so expect lower elevations near and east of WA Pass to stay cold. Ridgeline winds will be light, so they won't help to limit warming on steep southern aspects.

Despite the prolonged high pressure, there could still be isolated steep rocks or unsupported cliffs holding snow that may shed as warm temperatures and sunshine align. Surface crusts are thinner on east and west aspects and may break down quicker than due south aspects. Time your travel on steep sunny terrain when the surface is soft, but before you are sinking in deeply to wet snow. These wet snow problems shouldn't be widespread, but it's best not to linger beneath cliffs or rocks still holding snow and always put a lot of distance between you and any dark frowns in the snowpack indicative of glide cracks. 

An NWAC Observer in the Harts Pass area found isolated areas of cold, dry, recycled powder (weak, sugary, faceted snow) on sheltered northern aspects.  They reported touchy and fast-moving dry loose avalanches on steep, shady terrain holding this soft, faceted snow. But overall surface conditions are quite variable. Southern aspects harbor a 1 inch thick breakable crust with preserved faceted snow above and below. This weak snow is more prominent on west and east aspects where the crust is thinner. Many locations are also plagued by stiff wind-affected snow of varying thicknesses. 

This prolonged cold and dry period has caused the snow surface to weaken significantly. You can find plenty of surface hoar and/or near-surface facets in valley bottoms and areas that don’t receive direct sunshine. The next storm is now in sight for the end of the week, so we'll begin to put these weak layers to the test going into next weekend.