East Slopes South

While a little sunshine may help soften firm slopes Friday, prepare yourself for difficult travel conditions. You may encounter icy slopes in the morning and in shaded terrain. Give yourself extra time and bring the tools you need to deal with this non-avalanche hazard.

Friday looks like a beautiful day in the mountains. After a few clouds in the morning, the sun should come out and help soften the snow on steep southerly slopes. You may encounter icy conditions in the morning and in shaded areas. Firm slopes could hide under the 1-2” of new snow from Thursday. Make sure you have the skills and tools you need to cross icy slopes safely. In conditions like this, a simple slip can turn into a long and dangerous slide. 

At lower elevations, thin snow cover may create challenging travel conditions. Expect plenty of exposed obstacles, open creeks,  and patches of bare ground. 

If you use the nice weather to travel into the higher elevation areas of the East South zone, let us know what you find by submitting an observation. Your observations help us create a more complete picture of the conditions and hazards in our forecasts. 

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.