East Slopes Central

Expect spring-like conditions, and snow can become wet and heavy by the afternoon. Wet avalanches will likely be small and isolated, but don't write them off completely. As the day warms, take care to move off steep slopes if you're sinking deeply into wet snow, and don't linger below overhanging cornices that may shed.

We'll be moving into a spring diurnal pattern, but each day of the week will warm up a little bit more. You should expect icy, slick surfaces in the morning that gradually soften throughout the day. Sunny aspects will warm up more quickly, while northerly aspects will take longer.  

We went a number of days with temperatures well above freezing. So while the cooler temperatures are helping reduce wet avalanche activity, there will be variability in how well surfaces refreeze and how quickly they become wet and slushy in the afternoon. As things warm up, pay attention to snow surfaces. If you're sinking in deeply, it might be time to move to lower-angle terrain. Cornices, shedding, and steep rocks and cliffs might still send snow down from above. Move through terrain with overhead hazards more quickly in the warm afternoon.  An observer near Mission Peak reported nice, supportable spring "corn" snow at upper elevations on a northerly aspect. But they did note that most Observers in the Teanaway area reported very icy surfaces well into the upper elevations in the early morning that became wet and sticky by the afternoon. Recent wet avalanche activity was limited, but many small snow chunks had shed from cornices. Southerly aspects are showing a lot of bare dirt, and even northerly aspects experienced significant warming over the weekend and will have thick crusts. Consider bringing equipment to prevent long sliding falls on steep, icy surfaces. 

Coverage remains a major issue, particularly at lower elevations and on southerly slopes. You might find yourself walking on bare ground in search of snow at higher elevations. Where you do find snow, watch out for exposed obstacles.