East Slopes Central

Avalanches are unlikely, but watch for mushy wet snow on steep south-facing slopes with daytime warming. The daily melt-freeze cycle with blue skies continues. Expect a variety of surface conditions ranging from sun softened snow, to boilerplate wind stiffened snow and slippery ice crusts. 

The last storm to affect the area was on the 19th and 20th. The mountains near the Cascade Crest picked up the most amount of snow out of this last little storm (3"-8").  We're locked solidly into  'spring diurnal' cycle...in January. Each day the sun melts snow surfaces, and once a slope goes into the shade it begins to refreeze. The difference in aspect is becoming more and more apparent with each day; dry faceted snow can be found on shaded slopes, while stout melt-freeze crusts can be found on slopes in the sun.

Avalanches are unlikely, but snow could still move downhill. Loose wet avalanches could be triggered on very steep south facing slopes with warm daytime temperatures and strong sun. If you find sticky snow, wet mushy snow, or find it's prone to 'rollerballing', there's a chance you could initiate a loose wet avalanche. Take note of surface conditions as you travel, and as the daytime progresses. Observe the thickness or supportability of the surface crust during the day. Another way to think about this is if you're sinking past your ankle, or the sled bogs down in deep wet snow, conditions may be ripe for triggering a slide. Use caution around terrain where the snowpack is shallow, or with exposed rocks in the warm sun. In high, alpine terrain watch for cornices, which could fracture off and become a large hazard tumbling down the slopes.

Expect a range of conditions. Good corn skiing was reported on Southeast aspects above Lake Wenatchee, boilerplate wind stiffened snow found on high peaks of the upper Chiwawa River, and slide for life conditions found on low angle slopes with a thick ice crust in low elevations of the Icicle Creek drainage. Observers also reported breakable crust with softer snow beneath while snowmobiling near Sugarloaf Peak. 4-6" of soft snow over a crust was found on shaded and sheltered slopes in the Entiat Range. You're likely to face challenging travel conditions with these variable snow surfaces, large piles of avalanche debris, and opening creeks. Colder temperatures near valley bottoms have led to low-level valley fog much of the time these past few days, but up above the mountains have mostly been in the sun with warmer temperatures.