West Slopes South

A solid freeze and a strong snowpack should limit any avalanche danger Tuesday. Instead, prepare yourself for icy travel conditions where even a simple slip could turn into a long and uncontrolled fall.

Observations from the West-South zone show a very strong snowpack creating generally safe avalanche conditions. While most areas picked up a few inches of snow early Sunday morning, this should not pose any significant risk. The upper snowpack consists of various layers of stout crusts, refreezing wet snow, and strong rounded grains. As a result, your greatest hazard Tuesday may stem from firm slopes. At mid and upper elevations expect icy conditions. Make sure you can prevent any slip from resulting in a long and dangerous fall. At lower elevations, you may encounter a wider variety of snow surfaces such a breakable crusts, firm slopes, frozen tree bombs, and open creeks. Give yourself time and patience to deal with these non-avalanche hazards. 

So, will the snow surface soften Tuesday? After a chilly start to the morning, rising temperatures and a bit of sunshine should help some slopes slowly begin to warm. However, a solid overnight freeze, cool winds, and the potential for a bit of cloud cover may curtail any significant thawing. Pay attention to the weather around you. If you notice clear skies and calm winds, then expect steep sunny slopes to soften. They may produce piles of new rollerballs and very small point release avalanches. If you see cloudier skies and shiver a bit in the breeze, don’t look for the snow to soften much at all. Any avalanche activity should be limited to the thin layer of snow warmed during the day. Use your foot to gauge how much snow softened. If your boot sinks past the ankle, seek out slightly more frozen terrain. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources. Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.