Central Cascades

Avalanches will again be unlikely for Friday. Cold temperatures after over a week of warm, sunny mountain weather will result  in slick surface crusts on sun-exposed slopes being the greatest hazard for the day. Be mindful of the consequence a small slip could have in steep icey terrain, and continue to use safe travel practices as you travel through the mountains.

On Thursday at Broken Top, despite temps pushing 40 degrees at 7500 ft, there was minimal soft snow to be found by early afternoon on sun exposed slopes. Freezing levels aren't forecasted to get much higher than 3,000 ft on Friday, so I would anticipate even firmer (i.e. icier) surface conditions and no real sun softening. Shaded north facing slopes are where you have the best chance to ride on soft snow. We have been observing Near Surface Facets on shaded slopes sheltered from the wind, and some pleasantly chalky windbuff on shaded slopes in the alpine. Be advised that surface conditions are highly variable currently, and a slight tilt of aspect or terrain feature can quickly lead soft snow into ice. On a positive note, the pronounced inversion that has kept town cold and cloudy for the last week or so should be gone tomorrow! This January is seeming to be about the little victories...