Central Cascades

Triggering avalanches will be unlikely on Saturday. Continue to watch for signs of unstable snow and use safe travel techniques, like riding one at a time on slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees. 

Overall, the snow surface is highly variable, as it has been for the past week. On Friday, the sun warmed south-facing slopes enough to soften them in the mid-afternoon, but it was too cold for a loose wet avalanche problem. Likewise, moderate wind gusts at ridge tops can get a little snow moving, but there is not enough soft snow available for transport to create wind slabs. Some shaded terrain below treeline still holds 10-15 centimeters of soft snow. 

On Thursday and Friday, surface hoar was observed in cold, shaded areas at Newberry and in the Cascades. Surface hoar is a type of snow crystal that looks feathery and sparkly, and it can get quite large. It can become a weak layer if it gets buried in its upright position, but for now, it doesn't pose a hazard.