Eastside Region

While avalanches are unlikely on a regional scale, it is important to make assessments of slopes and terrain features in your area.  Continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and exercise caution in consequential terrain.

Winds were strong enough yesterday afternoon to move snow across ridges in the alpine. However, most snow surfaces have been hardened from repeated wind events and very little blowing snow was observed. While unlikely, you may be able to find isolated pockets of wind-deposited snow at upper elevations. If these exist they will likely be small and mainly a concern in terrain where a fall could have higher consequences.

Additional sources of uncertainty are the amount of cloud cover today and warming at lower elevations. Some afternoon clouds are expected. If skies remain clear and temperatures are higher than expected snow surfaces on solar aspects at lower elevations may become wet. These surfaces have had repeated exposure to warm days and cold nights during the recent clear weather and should tolerate some warming. Lookout for rollerballs and pinwheels as indications that wet snow instability is becoming a concern in your area.

Recent field observations have highlighted faceting of the upper snowpack in many areas. Taking note of the distribution of weak surface snow during periods of high pressure helps to track weak layers in the snowpack going forwards.