Eastside Region

Low avalanche danger exists. Very firm and variable conditions are the greatest hazard in the backcountry currently. Loosening of snow on solar aspects will be possible if skies are sunnier than expected. Watch for unstable snow and falling rocks in isolated terrain features (South facing-confined & rocky, with steep slope angles) where heating may be amplified.

The major hazard in lieu of avalanches is the firm “slide for life” surface condition present throughout the forecast zone. Crampons (ski & boot) and ice axe are advantageous if not mandatory if venturing to alpine pursuits in the range. The last snowfall was on December 29th and Avalanche Danger has been rated at LOW since January 5th.  Monday is looking like a repeat of yesterday with light winds and warm temperatures. If the clouds do break as they did for the early part of Sunday in the Buttermilk region, anticipate increased warming on solar aspects, especially steeper slope angles on SW-S-SE in terrain bordered by rock and sheltered from the breeze. A majority of snow out there on sunny aspects is still in a “transitional” state (turning from wintery to more spring like conditions). 

Concerns regarding loose-wet issues would be primarily for trap-door, unsupportable surfaces. You can look for this by taking off your skis off and checking boot penetration to see if things are getting unsupportable. If you’re going above your boot top and beyond, you may want to choose a cooler slope. To this point there has not been any reports of totally saturated wet snow or “isothermal” conditions and for the most part, even on sunny aspects snow has remained supportable thus far. Overnight freezes still have been adequate and solar input has been kept at bay due to short days and hazy day time conditions.