West Slopes North

Use normal caution when traveling in avalanche terrain, and always carry a transceiver, shovel and probe despite the low danger. Identify slopes holding wind-drifted snow and assess for instability before entering steep, extreme terrain. This is where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche.

Backcountry travelers heading to further reaches of the West North zone, by Cascade Pass on Monday, managed to trigger an avalanche in newly wind-drifted snow. You can read the observation HERE. Just because the danger is low doesn't mean it's impossible to find an avalanche, especially if you travel further north or east in the zone. That being said, in many areas of the zone you probably couldn't buy an avalanche on Wednesday. 

If you're going to trigger any avalanches, they'll most likely be small and isolated in distribution. You'll probably trigger an avalanche in recently drifted snow, and those new slabs may sit over weak snow that has been forming at and on the surface in the last several days. Search for smooth or textured wind slabs and investigate them before entering high consequence terrain to see how easily they'll slide. Even a small slide wouldn't be ideal if you'll get sent off a cliff or strained through rocks and trees. 

Freezing levels should rise to 3000ft Wednesday afternoon, but forecasts vary widely and there may be inversions. Steep south-facing slopes may soften but we don't expect much wet avalanche activity. Upper elevations may soften more than those down low. 

Soft dry snow or thin crusts on or near the surface is weakening with the colder weather and predominantly clear skies. The top foot or so of soft snow is faceting (weakening), surface hoar is developing on the snow surface, and crusts (mainly the 1/10 crust on average 1ft deep) are breaking down and faceting. When more snow eventually comes, we may get many large avalanches on these weak layers, and avalanche activity likely won't fade within a day or two like our usual new snow avalanche problems. 

Snow conditions vary extensively. There are soft and hard wind slabs, and wind-swept areas too. Crusts exist at the surface or beneath softer snow layers. Some crusts and firm surfaces may be smooth, whereas others may be textured or jagged. You might still find soft dry snow on sheltered slopes. Prepare for all snow types if you get into the backcountry on Wednesday. A forecaster who was in the Baker backcountry on Monday found many of these variable snow conditions and weakening surfaces. You can read the observation HERE. 

If you get out, please share with us about your day by submitting an observation HERE or on the Avy App.