Avalanche Forecast

Avalanches will be unlikely but not impossible Tuesday. 

Small loose wet avalanches are possible on very steep solar slopes receiving direct sunshine along with warming temperatures in the south and central Cascades. Even a small loose wet avalanche could be dangerous near terrain traps. Increasing clouds and winds will quickly dampen any warming in the northwest Cascades and eventually mitigate the warming in the central-west Cascades. 

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. 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. Avoid traveling on steep icy slopes where it will be difficult to stop a fall.

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 that have recently received direct sun, spring-like conditions can be found in the afternoons.

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 five days old and unlikely to trigger.

There have not been any reports of avalanches 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.

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 and created a non-avalanche travel hazard.

South

No recent observations