Eastside Region

Avalanches remain unlikely. Watch for isolated instabilities on sunny slopes as the surface thaws. Give yourself options and be ready to adjust your plans if you find unexpected or unwanted conditions.

Well, it’s Groundhog Day. Again. Persistent high pressure means little change to the weather from day to day. And little change to surface conditions.

Melt-freeze is the name of the game on solar slopes and below treeline. There is a growing window for softening snow as the sun climbs higher in the sky. If your intended route is already wet and slushy, consider looking for cold snow on shaded terrain. 

On protected, north-facing slopes, conditions are favorable for continued near-surface faceting and soft turns. Above treeline, and in exposed terrain, you’ll find hard windboard, breakable crust, sastrugi, and narrow ribbons of recrystallized powder, often in the same run. Ski and boot crampons can prove essential in alpine terrain. 

While coverage near and above treeline is holding strong, below treeline approaches continue to melt. The snowpack is shallower in the southern half of the forecast area. Creeks are opening up, and snow bridges are thawing. Plan accordingly, with good options and a good partner.