West Slopes South

Generally safe avalanche conditions will persist on Friday as warm weather continues. Snow or ice shedding from rocky features or high on a volcano can never be ruled out this time of year. Travel hazards may pose a greater threat to your day. 

It feels more like May or even June in the hills than early April this week. Several NWAC weather stations recorded temperatures in the 50s on Thursday, and solar radiation data has been increasing slowly each day. Expect that trend to continue Thursday night into Friday before a pattern change moves into the zone for the weekend. If you're into long-range forecasts, there may even be a snowstorm next week as we return to more seasonable norms.

Which is a good reminder that it is still early April, not May or June. Although our snowpack is thinner this year and appears to be melting out quickly, that's largely a bias toward lower and mid-elevations. As you ascend toward upper elevations or higher onto a volcano, you'll likely find a more robust snowpack.

Anywhere you find snow-covered slopes, there is still the potential to trigger a wet loose avalanche during the heat of the day. Additionally, snow clinging to rocky outcrops and sagging cornices will need to come down before we can start up our summer plans. Throw in the potential for ice/serac falls or even rockfall, and your main avalanche concerns are now overlapping with general mountain hazards. So make travel plans with these low-likelihood, potentially high-consequence overhead hazards in mind.

In the morning hours, you'll likely encounter a firm snow surface. This will help minimize potential avalanche activity but may create a travel hazard due to long slips and falls. The volcanoes are notorious for long fall accidents and may require an added sense of awareness. If you're getting an early start to your day, bring the right equipment to travel safely over firm surfaces and know how to use it, regardless of your location.

Other travel hazards exist as a result of our unseasonably warm weather. Open holes and creeks, thin snow bridges, and exposed ground or rocks are commonplace throughout the hills. Maybe these aren't much of a problem if you're walking/hiking, but if you're planning to ride a sled or ski, you'll undoubtedly encounter longer travel times than you're used to.