West Slopes Central

Avalanche danger is low but continue to use normal caution and carrying rescue equipment when traveling in avalanche terrain. There's a tiny chance that small, isolated pockets of recently wind drifted snow could avalanche with a human trigger in extreme alpine terrain. 

If you're going to trigger any avalanches, they'll most likely be small and isolated in distribution. Any avalanches would probably be in recently drifted snow in the alpine, and those new slabs may sit over weak snow that has been forming at and on the surface in the last several days. Just north of the West Central zone in the Cascade Pass area, backcountry skiers triggered an avalanche on Monday in a new wind slab (observation).

Search for smooth or textured drifts and investigate them before entering high consequence terrain to see how easily they'll slide. Even a small avalanche wouldn't be ideal if you get sent off a cliff or strained through rocks and trees. 

Freezing levels are expected to increase through Wednesday night before a slow drop on Thursday to 5000ft in the afternoon. Wind will increase to moderate, and you can expect thickening clouds before our first skiff of precipitation in a week. Thursday night we'll likely receive a grand total of maybe an inch of snow before the high pressure continues. We don't expect firm surfaces to soften, or much additional wind transport of snow on Thursday.

Soft dry snow or thin crusts on or near the surface is weakening with the colder weather and predominantly clear skies. The top foot or so of soft snow is faceting (weakening), surface hoar is building on the snow surface, and crusts (mainly the 1/10 crust on average 1ft deep) are breaking down and faceting. When more snow eventually comes, we may see a lot of avalanche activity on these weak layers. 

Snow conditions vary extensively. There are soft and hard wind slabs, and wind-swept areas too. Crusts exist at the surface or beneath softer snow layers. Some crusts and firm surfaces may be smooth, whereas others may be textured or jagged. You might still find soft dry snow on sheltered slopes. Prepare for all snow types if you get into the backcountry on Wednesday. One observer who was in the deep south of the West Central zone found crusty or firm conditions, and no need for snowshoes. They didn't find any avalanche concerns. You can read their observation HERE. 

If you get out, please share with us about your day by submitting an observation HERE or on the Avy App.