East Slopes South

Use normal caution when traveling in avalanche terrain. Carry avalanche rescue equipment and know how to use it. Identify avalanche terrain holding wind drifted snow and assess for instability before entering steep and consequential terrain with trees, rocks, or cliffs in the runout below. 

Strong winds in the last week drifted any remaining soft snow into thin slabs, especially at upper elevations. Fresh slabs should be small and isolated in distribution but easily triggered in locations where they rest over weak faceted snow or slick crust. Pay attention to changes in snow depth and texture. Use clues like scoured surfaces and cornices to figure out the wind loading pattern in the terrain around you. Pockets of winds slab should have a smooth appearance while the surrounding snow looks roughed up or jagged. 

NWAC Forecasters in Ahtanum Meadows reported no avalanche danger at low elevations. It was cold enough that full sun still didn't fully soften the stout crust that had formed on southerly aspects. More shaded aspects had thinner crust and allowed for decent riding conditions. The snow surface is accumulating surface hoar and the uppermost layers are beginning to facet due to the long stretch of high pressure, clear skies, and cold temperatures.

The Persistent Slab avalanche problem has been removed, but weak layers still exist in the upper snowpack. Fortunately, the likelihood of triggering one is quite low. Snowpack tests have shown no propagation, and no slab avalanches or whumphing was reported in the past week in the East South forecast zone.  

If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting an observation here.