East Slopes Central

Temperatures are trending colder, but it'll still be warm and sunny at upper elevations. We don't expect there is much snow left to shed, but it's still worth noting overhead cornices or rocks still holding snow, and avoiding lingering beneath.

With a subtle pattern shift, it was a much colder day throughout the zone on Tuesday. Temperatures will continue to slowly cool, but upper elevations are likely to still be above freezing.  Overall, the change in weather won't do much to our avalanche conditions, but it might make slick, icy surfaces more widespread. While cornice falls and rocks shedding slabs of snow are unlikely, they aren't impossible. It's best practice to just avoid lingering beneath any of these overhead hazards as they warm in the sun. 

The long, clear nights formed a robust surface crust, despite overnight temperatures remaining above freezing at upper elevations. Inversions have kept lower elevations east of the Cascade Crest much colder. Observers are using this high pressure to venture into more remote parts of the zone. Observations consistently report minimal avalanche activity or signs of instability. Northern and shady slopes are staying frozen during the day, while sunny slopes are softening nicely into corn by the afternoon.

Our already meager snowpack took a beating during this long, warm, dry spell and is now very thin with open creeks and holes in many areas. The Wenatchee Mountains are in particularly rough shape with patchy snow, barely enough for anything resembling on-snow recreation. At upper elevations and closer to the Crest, a more robust, albeit icy and challenging snowpack exists. You should expect icy travel on firm surfaces, particularly in the morning, so bring appropriate equipment to prevent long sliding falls.