Avalanche Forecast

Avalanches will be unlikely but not impossible Monday. Cold temperatures and a strong surface crust will limit the development of avalanche problems.

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.

Isolated areas of wind transported snow may be found above treeline. If you observe signs of recent wind transported snow, avoid steep slopes, convex rollovers, and unsupported terrain where you are more likely trigger a lingering Wind Slab.

Large Cornices may still exist in some locations. 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.

Non-avalanche-related hazards exist Sunday. Glide cracks, creeks, and openings within the snowpack have formed during recent warm wet weather. Falling into these holes poses a danger to backcountry travelers.

In general a strong stable snowpack exists around the region at all elevations. Up to 6 inches of soft snow sits on a supportable crust in most locations. On slopes receiving direct sun over the weekend, spring-like conditions can be found.

Warm wet weather from the beginning of February created a well consolidated snowpack. While we are tracking some deeper buried crust layers, there are no significant layers of concern.

Above treeline, winds from Thursday night and Friday transported snow forming isolated Wind Slabs. These slabs are now four days old and becoming less likely to trigger.

No recent avalanches have been reported in several days.

Observations

North

An avalanche professional in the Mt Baker backcountry Saturday reported winds transporting snow above treeline. Surface crusts were strong and supportable.

On Wednesday, NWAC Pro Observer Lee Lazzara was touring around Table Mountain. He reported numerous glide cracks which could be dangerous, particularly if covered by fresh snowfall in the future.

Central

NWAC field staff field Friday, Saturday and again on Sunday all reported a strong snowpack with no significant layers of concern. All observations show recent soft snow over a supportable and strengthening crust layer. Numerous glide cracks and openings in the snowpack were present.

South

No recent observations