East Slopes South

Triggering a wet avalanche is unlikely, but not impossible, where you find a wet, unsupportable snowpack under your feet or machine. Monitor your boot penetration as you move from slope to slope. Last week's warm storm had a devastating impact on snowpack across the zone; expect low snow cover and a plethora of travel hazards, including firm surfaces.

Strong overnight refreezes have helped limit wet avalanche activity in recent days. While we took the problem off the forecast, it doesn’t mean you can’t trigger one. It just means these unstable areas are becoming more isolated to steep, sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day. The East South should stay on the sunnier side of the incoming system for much of Monday. You may notice some high clouds filtering in as the day progresses, but these won't do much to impact the avalanche danger. 

An NWAC forecaster traveled into the Bethel Ridge area on Sunday. She didn't hit snow until 5000 ft. From here, she reported a good overnight refreeze and some old wet slab and wet loose from last week's warm and wet weather. As the day progressed, the surface crust broke down, allowing deeper boot penetration along south-facing slopes that still hold snow. Another public observation from Nelson Ridge reported a large wet slab avalanche that likely ran this past week during the natural avalanche cycle (observation here). Earlier this past week, the Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol reported triggering large wet slab avalanches up to 18 inches deep during control work on Thursday (3/19), likely failing on older weak layers. While triggering a large wet slab of these sizes are unlikely at this point, it should still be on your radar where you find a sloppy, wet snowpack in big terrain. 

Last week’s storm decimated the East South snowpack. You can still find rideable snow at mid and upper elevations, but expect dry or patchy conditions down low. Below 5,000 ft, snow coverage is too limited for avalanche danger at this time—so we’re issuing a No Rating for lower elevations.

Are you heading out? Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here or on the AvyApp.