East Slopes Central

Another day of sunny skies and springlike melt-freeze are in store for Thursday. Avalanches are unlikely, but wet snow may still shed from rocks and cliffs in steep southern terrain. Surfaces ranging from sun softened snow, slippery crusts, and stiff windblown snow will create demanding travel conditions.

The mountains picked up a few inches of snow on January 19th and 20th. Since then, clear skies and a diurnal spring cycle have been the dominant weather patterns. The sun warms the surface during the day, and then as temperatures cool and slopes become shaded, the surface begins to refreeze. Southern aspects have a thick melt-freeze crust. In sheltered terrain on northern aspects, snow over this crust is preserved but beginning to weaken and facet. Surface hoar can be found as well in these areas. This crust/facet combination could become a weak layer with potential snowfall and a long-awaited return to winter over the weekend. 

A range of surface conditions exists throughout the zone. At upper elevations on southern aspects, you may find pleasant corn skiing during the day. Although you will have to contend with challenging, rough, icy travel in forested areas at lower elevations. In the Icicle Creek drainage, low elevations have a thick ice crust, resulting in a dangerous slide-for-life situation if you were to fall. Observations from the Entiat and Salmon La Sac areas indicate preserved soft snow 4-6inches deep in sheltered terrain. In the highest elevations on northern aspects, this soft snow has been drifted around by the wind creating boilerplate wind stiffened snow with unpredictable pockets of deeper soft snow. Be prepared for challenging travel associated with these surface conditions, along with creeks reopening and large piles of avalanche debris to navigate through. 

Avalanches are unlikely, but snow could still move downhill. You may be able to trigger loose wet avalanches on very steep south-facing slopes with warm daytime temperatures and intense sun. Take note of surface conditions as you travel and as the daytime progresses. Observe the thickness or supportability of the surface crust during the day. If you're sinking past your ankle or the sled bogs down in deep wet snow, you may be able to trigger a wet loose avalanche. Use caution around terrain where the snowpack is shallow or exposed rocks in the warm sun. In high, alpine terrain, watch for cornices, which could fracture off and become a hazard tumbling down the slopes.