West Slopes South

Look for unstable pockets of wind-blown snow near ridgelines on Sunday, particularly on the volcanoes. In areas that see less snow and wind, the threat of lingering wet avalanches may still exist. You’re more likely to encounter variable and potentially difficult travel conditions than trigger one of these slides.

We are making strides to distance ourselves from the atmospheric river that impacted the West South over the past several days. Despite our efforts to forget, evidence is everywhere you look in the mountains right now.  After such a wet storm, there’s still the possibility that some lingering wet avalanches could impact your day on Sunday, despite a general cooling trend accompanied by incoming snow and wind. Even though we have pulled the official problem, continue to keep these difficult-to-predict avalanches on your mind anywhere you’re plunging into wet snow as opposed to standing on a firm surface.  We anticipate that the likelihood of you triggering an avalanche below the surface snow has decreased significantly. That said, a large trigger such as a falling cornice could do the trick. As precipitation returns on Sunday, lower elevations could see some drizzle to further soak the snowpack. 

On Saturday, NWAC forecasters near Crystal Mountain identified over 20 recent Wet Slab avalanches due to the recent rainy weather and made note of some large cornices that appeared to have sagged but not yet fallen. Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol and avalanche professionals in the same valley also reported recent wet avalanches up to size D2. Additionally, a breakable crust and plenty of rain runnels were found to extend up toward ridgeline, highlighting the variability of the snow surface.

Elsewhere in the zone, avalanche professionals near White Pass reported plenty of natural hazards now exposed due to the soaking rain and some actively blowing snow right near ridgecrest. Over at Paradise, the volunteer Nordic Patrol also reported blowing snow as well as variable surfaces with runnels, avalanche debris, and plenty of open creeks. NPS Rangers chimed in with similar information, including multiple recent avalanches spotted up to size D2. Groups that took the time to dig in the snow reported that dry snow still exists between the wetted surface snow and the Christmas Crust. The amount may vary depending on your location in the zone or elevation - a result of the discrepancy in rain totals.

You should expect to find a variety of surfaces in the mountains, some of which may make travel difficult. You could encounter wet and punchy snow, breakable or firm crusts, runneled “humps”, swollen creeks, exposed natural hazards, or refrozen avalanche debris during your time out.