Eastside Region

Generally stable avalanche conditions exist. Expect mostly firm surfaces. Look for small amounts of wind-blown snow in the alpine, and monitor solar slopes for warming during the middle of the day.

After over a week of above-freezing temperatures and a wet snowpack to 11000 feet or higher, we saw our first hard freeze at all elevations last night. Settled weather, tests, and field observations all point to a stabilizing snowpack. The free water that has been driving avalanche concerns has either run its course through the snowpack, or frozen solid near the surface for now. Persistent layers in shallow regions have gotten wet and become less reactive, and deeper snowpacks have very dense layers throughout. Expect most surfaces this morning to be firm and frozen.

As we move into meteorological spring, the higher sun angle will warm solar surfaces from the top down. This may create small, wet loose instabilities during the middle of the day, particularly at lower elevations.

The skiing and travel have been somewhat difficult over the past week, and as such we have limited observations from alpine terrain. If you push higher into the mountains, you will likely find that the rain/snow line varies throughout the region. Be prepared to encounter scoured crusts, firm windboard, and shallow deposits of new wind-blown snow above treeline.

The warm weather has taken its toll on lower elevations, and skiable snowlines are rising, especially in the southern half of the forecast region. Consider this when planning your outings.