East Slopes North

On Friday, temperatures will be cooler than previous days with warmer temperatures at upper elevations. Watch for small wet avalanches on isolated steep slopes and rock features in the sun. A warm, wet storm will bring more dangerous avalanche conditions Friday night into the weekend.

While avalanches are unlikely, you may still be able to trigger a small wet loose slide in isolated sunny slopes above 5,500ft, especially near rocks and cliffs. Watch for areas of wet, weak surface snow on southeast through southwest aspects. Pay attention to steep overhead terrain, where avalanches could come from above. Temperature inversions will keep the low elevations cold, and the valleys east of the Cascade crest will hold thick clouds.

A wet storm will move in late Friday night, bringing rain to many areas near the Cascade crest. This storm will trend warm to cold and will have existing temperature inversions to contend with. While the outcome is still a bit unclear, we expect an increase in avalanche danger by Saturday. Some areas will see rain falling on a previously dry snowpack. NWAC Observers were near Washington Pass on Wednesday. The cold air pooled just below pass level, and temperatures at higher elevations were in the 40°Fs. On average snow depths were between 2-3ft, with shallower depths on south aspects and wind-scoured slopes. There was plenty of evidence of wet avalanches, some occurring during the day, and older piles of debris from the past few days. All avalanches were small. They reported older and unreactive wind-affected snow surfaces. in sheltered areas, north aspects still held cold, dry snow. Take care as you travel - many early-season obstacles, such as trees, rocks, logs, and creeks, are exposed or sometimes barely hidden underneath wind drifted surfaces.