East Slopes Central

You are unlikely to encounter much danger from avalanches. But watch for steep rocks and cliffs that still may shed some snow. You will likely experience greater hazards due to thin coverage and challenging travel, including creek crossings, slick crusts, and wet snow. 

Freezing levels are on an upward climb throughout the weekend. Despite the warm temperatures, moderate winds and filtered sunshine may limit wet loose avalanche activity on Saturday. However, this is also the first time the upper elevations have seen significant warming. Therefore, terrain above 6000ft may be the most susceptible for wet avalanches. Consider traveling on lower-angle slopes if dry snow is becoming wet and heavy and you begin to see rollerballs. Also, be aware of overhead hazards from steep rock faces or cliffs shedding snow. If the clouds finally clear out of the eastern Cascades, due south aspects in the sun may have a higher likelihood of wet avalanches. 

We have limited information and quite a lot of uncertainty about the snowpack at upper elevations. Further north in the zone, you may find dry snow above 6500ft. Further south, even at these upper elevations, the snowpack may be wet and punchy or have a melt-freeze crust on the surface. If you take advantage of the better weather this weekend to get into alpine terrain, plan for this increased uncertainty and be prepared to make snowpack assessments as you travel. Look for blowing or drifting snow and use quick hand pits or test slopes to see how the surface snow reacts. 

You can expect crusty, wet, punchy, and overall variable snow surfaces in the rest of the terrain. December 9-10th, an impressive storm brought 8-20 inches of snow that ended in rain. The snowpack has been slowly freezing, though warm temperatures haven't helped. Observers reported a breakable crust extending to upper elevations. We estimate the rainline was likely around 6,000-6,500ft during the storm.

Sunday's temperatures may notch up higher, and with decreased winds, wet avalanches may become more of a problem. 

You can contribute to the forecast by letting us know what you see. Submit a public observation here.