West Slopes North

Use normal caution when traveling in avalanche terrain.  Identify slopes holding wind drifted snow. Assess for instability before entering steep and consequential terrain with trees, rocks, or cliffs in the runout below. Keep an eye on cliffs and steep slopes warming in the sun that could shed rollerballs and small wet avalanches. Carry avalanche rescue equipment and know how to use it.

Avalanche danger should be minimal on Monday. It’s still worth keeping a few hazards in mind, especially if pushing into high-consequence alpine terrain during this long stretch of good weather.

Strong northerly winds at upper elevations are forecast to take the day off, but pockets of wind slab probably formed in select locations on Sunday and might still be reactive. Look for slabs of smooth drifted snow surrounded by roughed-up or jagged-looking surfaces. The danger might be Low, but it won't feel that way if you take a ride on a small slab through rocky, nasty terrain.

The sun softened up the firm crust on southerly aspects and should have even more effect in the coming days. Wet avalanches shouldn’t be very substantial or widespread in distribution. But you might see a few in areas with the most warming. Don’t linger under steep terrain where you see rollerballs, small wet avalanches, or snow shedding from cliffs.

Snow conditions on sheltered, northerly slopes are reported to still be quite good, but travel conditions could be challenging in other areas. Heavily forested terrain, scoured ridges, and slopes topped with hard, slick crust might take more effort or equipment than usual to navigate safely.

Observers around the Baker BC reported wind transport in the high alpine and also on Shuksan Arm. Active wind loading and fresh slab formation were reported from the Roman Wall on Mt. Baker and also at mid-elevations on Mt Ann. Despite cool northerly winds, some sunny and wind sheltered slopes started to soften during the peak of warming and even provided a brief period of "baby-corn" snow. 

The most notable observation is the continued weakening of snow from the surface down to - and probably below -  the Jan 10th crust. In addition to surface hoar, cold temperatures and clear skies have enabled faceting that is starting to eat away at some of the near-surface crusts. In previous winters, the same weather and snowpack variables have created some very large avalanches once loaded up with new snow. As usual, there is no guarantee this will happen, but it's something to keep in mind whenever we get some more snow.