West Slopes Central

Saturday is the last day before we have a return to winter, and although danger remains Low for now, it doesn't mean there's no hazard. In extreme terrain, odd spring avalanches like glides or falling cornices could occur unexpectedly. Always scan for overhead hazards as you travel, and if any exist above you, skirt around the area or travel quickly beneath them. 

We'll see fewer clouds Saturday night into Sunday, which will probably help to create a surface freeze Saturday night, followed by daytime softening on sun-exposed slopes. Most importantly: Low danger doesn’t mean no danger—keep these in mind:

• Small amounts of fresh snow and light wind from Friday night at upper elevations could have formed thin wind slabs —don’t get caught off guard after a week of sun.
• Isolated hazards like icefall, rockfall, and glide avalanches remain, especially in steep alpine terrain.
• Cornices will continue to sag with above-freezing temperatures.
• Small route choices—like avoiding travel under cornices or glide cracks—go a long way.
• You may still trigger small loose wet avalanches on very steep slopes; even small slides can push you into terrain traps, increasing consequences.

In the neighboring Stevens Pass and West North zones, a surface crust observed on Saturday limited most avalanche activity, though daytime softening improved travel conditions. Conditions were likely similar in the West Central zone.

During your outing on Sunday, pay attention to how supportable the snow is. If you’re easily punching through any crusts to your knees or deeper, avoid steep terrain—wet avalanches become more likely. Staying near the surface is generally a good sign.

Upper elevations remain data sparse. Small amounts of new snow may have formed shallow wind slabs, and a winter-like snowpack persists on true north aspects beneath a thin surface crust.

Coverage is probably your main challenge. Lower elevations are melting out quickly, with patchy snow, open creeks, and increasing obstacles. Isolated alpine hazards remain a concern up high, including glide cracks, small cornices, and the potential for minor snow shedding from steep terrain.