Avalanche Forecast

Avalanches are unlikely but not impossible Monday. Cool air temperatures and a strong surface crust will limit the development of avalanche problems in these regions.

Isolated areas of wind deposited snow may be found above treeline. Avoid steep slopes that show signs of recent wind deposition. You are most likely to trigger a Wind Slab on very steep slopes, convex rolls, or unsupported features.

Expect firm surface conditions on southerly aspects in the morning. Warming air temperatures and sunny skies will allow firm surface snow to soften on slopes receiving direct sunshine. Avoid traveling on steep icy slopes where it will be difficult to stop a fall.

Cornices have grown very large over the last several weeks. These looming hazards threaten slopes below. Cornice fall is very difficult to predict but can become more likely with daytime warming and direct sunshine. Minimize your exposure if traveling below these features by selecting routes and re-grouping locations away from overhead hazard.

Use appropriate travel techniques to minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain and non-avalanche related hazards.

A relatively stable snowpack exists in most locations along the east slopes of the Cascades. Gusty winds at the end of last week formed shallow isolated Winds Slabs above treeline. These Wind Slabs are now several days old and becoming less likely to trigger. In shaded sheltered areas around Washington Pass 4-8 inches of soft snow now sits over the most recent crust. On slopes that received direct sun over the weekend, spring like snow conditions can be found.

Significantly less snow was received in areas further east and south resulting in limited avalanche concerns.

Warm weather the first week of February has resulted in a strong and consolidated mid and lower snowpack in many locations. While we are tracking several old crusts around the east slopes, there are no significant layers of concern in the snowpack.

In the last week of January observers reported isolated buried surface hoar on top of the 1/16 crust. This persistent weak layer was found or thought to be the cause of several avalanches. A recent observation (2/11) from the Mission Ridge area confirmed this layer is still present and reactive in some locations. Though it’s no longer a main concern, use caution when traveling in areas further east of the crest where this layer may survive. Snow profiles and snowpack tests are the best means to confirm the presence of this layer.

Observations

North

On Friday, Saturday, and again on Sunday, avalanche professionals in the Washington Pass area have reported very isolated small wind slabs. These lingering wind slabs are gaining strength and becoming unreactive. Above treeline observations indicate winds have created a variety of snow surface conditions. On southerly aspects, observations showed the sun affected surface snow conditions by later in the day. 

Central

No recent observations have been received.