East Slopes Central

With colder weather forecasted, avalanche conditions are generally safe zone wide with a slightly higher chance of encountering some unstable snow closer to the Cascade Crest. Keep an eye out for an errant wet snow avalanche where the sun is shining or a slab of recently drifted snow in high-elevation terrain. Take your time as you work your way to and from your objective; lower elevations are riddled with exposed hazards.

The weather is setting us up for some good stability on Saturday. Friday night will start out clear, and freezing levels will drop below trailhead elevations. This will allow for longwave radiational loss to cool the snowpack down and create surface crusts. There is a chance of snowfall in the middle of the night in areas very close to the Cascade Crest, and the wind will peak during this system. Saturday will start out on the cloudier side with some continued wind, and then the sun will come out in the afternoon. Temperatures and freezing levels will remain low throughout the day.

In areas close to the Crest that might pick up an inch or two of snow, you could encounter some very small slabs of wind drifted snow. Although not particularly dangerous, one of these "wind skins" could knock you off your feet and take you for a long sliding fall. Pay attention to signs of wind drift and the terrain around you to reduce your risk.

Another potential problem with new snow is the sun destabilizing it. If you begin to notice rollerballs and wet snow that slides easily on underlying crusts, you should move to lower angle terrain. While wet loose avalanches will generally be small and predictable, they could easily knock you off your feet just like a small wind slab.

Similarly, crusty conditions mean the chance of simply just slipping and sliding is increased. It might behoove you to carry a "sharp": ski or boot crampons or a whippet are good examples. A long, uncontrolled fall over consequential terrain could end your season earlier than you wanted. An NWAC Forecaster traveling around Blewett Pass on Friday found conditions such as these.

Cornice falls and glide avalanches are even less likely, but if you're in the wrong place, they could be very dangerous. Avoid traveling under large, overhanging cornices if they appear to be sagging. Don't enter onto a slope with open glide cracks.

Down low, travel has become more hazardous. The snowpack is thin (or nonexistent) and full of rocks, open creeks, downed logs, and branches. There are also open holes that might not be visible from afar. Take care to make your entry and exit into the backcountry slower and more deliberate.

You can help reduce forecast uncertainty by submitting a public observation here or on the AVY mobile app.