Eastside Region
Avalanche danger
Highlights
Triggering an avalanche remains unlikely. Isolated instabilities of wet snow may exist on solar slopes during the heat of the day. Be prepared to navigate slick and variable surfaces.
Avalanche Discussion
We will see spring like conditions today, with cold morning and evening temperatures and daytime temperatures well above freezing. Some solar slopes may develop loose wet instabilities during the heat of the day. These slopes are the same slopes that may be slick, or hold breakable melt-freeze crusts in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Sharps like ski and boot crampons, and an ice axe, may help prevent a fall on slick surfaces.
Very cold overnight temperatures are causing the upper snowpack to facet in many places, which is slowly breaking down old wind affected surfaces and crusts. As we look ahead to the potential of snow later this coming week, take stock of surface conditions, snow coverage, and any weak faceted snow that lies in the upper snowpack. This will help us know what to look for and expect when the new snow (hopefully) falls.