East Slopes Central

The likelihood of wet snow avalanches will decrease at upper elevations as temperatures cool and cloud cover and ridgeline winds increase.  If you find wet snow lingering at lower elevations, avoid extreme terrain features. The avalanche danger will rise Wednesday night near the Cascade crest.  

An incoming frontal system will help decrease the likelihood of wet snow avalanches on Wednesday at upper elevations thanks to cooler, cloudier, and windier conditions.  The heaviest precipitation associated with the frontal system will likely hold off until Wednesday night.  If you find the storm arrives faster than forecast,  start thinking about fresh wind slabs developing below ridgelines on steep open slopes.  

The cool down won't arrive for mid and lower slopes until later Wednesday afternoon and night.  While wet snow avalanches are unlikely, there are some factors to keep in mind at lower and mid-elevations, especially earlier in the day.  Where you find wet, unsupportive snow, you may be able to trigger wet avalanches.  Avoid very steep slopes, especially those around terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche would be amplified.  Avoid traveling on or below slopes with open, crevasse-like cracks in the snow. Glide avalanches are notoriously hard to predict and can occur well after the air temperature has dropped below freezing. Nearby at Snoqualmie Pass, a number of large glide avalanches occurred Saturday, April 3rd. 

The lower snowpack is strong and well settled. A layer of facets above a crust from mid-January is about 2-6 feet below the surface. The layer has been dormant for a month although it may awaken later this spring with the right conditions.  

If you're out midweek let us and the backcountry community know what you see and Submit an Observation. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.