West Slopes North

Use normal caution when traveling in avalanche terrain, including carrying and knowing how to use a transceiver, shovel and probe despite the low avalanche danger. If you're accessing steep, extreme terrain then small, isolated pockets of wind drifted snow may still avalanche with a human trigger. Investigate drifts for weaknesses if you're entering complex terrain in the alpine.

Backcountry travelers heading to further reaches of the West North zone, by Cascade Pass, on Monday managed to trigger an avalanche in newly wind-drifted snow. You can read the observation HERE. Just because avalanche danger is low doesn't mean it's impossible to find an avalanche. That being said, in many areas you probably couldn't buy an avalanche. 

If you're going to trigger any avalanches, they'll most likely be small and isolated in distribution. It'll probably be in recently drifted snow, and those new slabs may sit over weak snow that has been forming at and on the surface in the last several days. Search for smooth or textured wind slabs 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 4000ft in the afternoon. Wind will increase to moderate on Thursday, 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 developing on the snow surface, and crusts (mainly the 1/10 crust on average 1ft deep) are breaking down and faceting. When we eventually get our next substantial snowstorm we may see a lot of avalanche activity on these weak surface 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 and slick, whereas others may be textured or jagged. You might still find soft dry snow on sheltered, shady slopes. Prepare for all snow types if you get into the backcountry on Thursday. 

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