East Slopes South

Another sunny, spring-like day will do little to change conditions and avalanches remain unlikely. Your greatest hazard may be rough travel on firm, icy surfaces. 

The recent weather pattern has taken its toll on the snowpack. Warm temperatures, sunshine, and strong winds all played a role in creating a wide variety of snow surfaces including icy slopes, rough frozen snow, and breakable crust. Many shallow spots in the snowpack continue to melt out, and rocks, trees, and creeks have reemerged. The greatest hazard you face may come from navigating the variable travel conditions and numerous obstacles. With good timing on some sunny slopes, snow surfaces continue to thaw each day and make for a window of pleasant travel conditions.

Last weekend, NWAC forecasters traveled to Darland Mountain in the East South zone and found a strong and stable snowpack. You can read more about the conditions in this observation. Unfortunately, many southern aspects and ridges melted out to bare ground, clear evidence of the extended dry, warm weather of January and early February. Check out more information about current snow depth climatology throughout the region HERE. Thankfully, valley inversions have preserved some snow at lower elevations, so the riding conditions and groomed trails are still open to travel.

On a more positive note, we’re expecting a winter storm this weekend. It may not be a huge snow event for the East South, but a little refresh would go a long way. If you get out before the storm, send us your observations and photos of the snow surface. Often today’s snow is tomorrow’s weak layer. Thanks for all your support!