Eastside Region

Avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible. In chutes and bowls below ridgelines, old hard wind slabs over weak snow could pose an isolated hazard. Small wet avalanches are possible in steep, rocky, sunny terrain in the afternoon. Good travel techniques include riding one at a time and limiting your exposure to large cornices. 

Extreme wind events over the past week have left hardened surfaces at all elevations and large cornices above ridgelines. Wind slab avalanches ran naturally on northerly aspects at all elevations midweek. Observers reported chunky hard slab debris and evidence of cornice failures. Signs of instability have waned and localized cracking has been the primary feedback from old hard wind deposits. 

On isolated slopes facing north and east, older, dense, wind deposits are resting on weak underlying snow. This structure is the source of lingering concerns over small triggered avalanches. You’re most likely to find these hard slabs mid-slope, further down from ridgelines than you may expect, and near treeline. Though hard wind slabs may feel strong under a rider's weight, they can fail in unexpected ways. You’re most likely to trigger them near the edges where slabs are thinner, or near shallow trigger points near rock outcrops. They can break above you and propagate across steep pockets. Shooting cracks and weak snow under old drifts are indications that hard slabs may be unstable.

Daytime warming and good overnight freezes have put solar aspects through the melt-freeze cycle. Sunny slopes will have hard crusts in the morning and soft, wet surfaces in the afternoon. As long as warming is gradual, areas with deep wet snow and the potential for sizeable loose wet activity should be minimal. 

A patchwork of soft, sugary snow exists in wind-sheltered, north-facing terrain. Facets, both at the surface and buried, are worth tracking. With winter storms on the horizon, these weak grains could be a factor in avalanche activity for the days ahead. 

Factor challenging and variable riding conditions into your travel plans. Tools like ski or boot crampons and an ice ax may be necessary equipment depending on where you want to go.