Avalanche Forecast

A weak front will approach the area on Wednesday with an increase in high clouds beginning overnight and likely an increase in low clouds along the west slopes during the daylight hours. There should be a gradual cooling trend through the day, but an increase in clouds overnight and warm temperatures could inhibit a good re-freeze.

On Wednesday, small loose wet avalanches will be unlikely and only potentially found in isolated areas near and below treeline. Due to the low likelihood of triggering and small size, loose wet avalanches will not be listed as a problem.      

As a result of the overall low snowpack, especially below treeline, watch for terrain hazards such as open creeks, partially covered rocks and vegetation.

Warm and wet southwest flow directed a series of fronts across the Northwest from about February 5th-10th, producing impressive rainfall totals but unfortunately causing more melt at lower elevations, making many slopes below treeline nearly snow free regardless of aspect. Generally 6-12 inches of wet snow fell at the tail end of the storm cycle last week near and above treeline. Since then, a benign weather pattern with mild temperatures has set in.

Sunday through Tuesday featured sunny skies and generally mild temperatures that allowed for solid re-freezes overnight followed by some softening of the surface snow on solar aspects during the day. Only small wet loose avalanches were reported on steeper solar slopes during this period.  

The mid and lower snowpack west of the crest should consist of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this winter.