New snow and strong winds forecasted for White Pass could increase the avalanche danger. Scale back to mellow, sheltered terrain.
Further inland the danger may be one step lower.
In White Pass, up to 10 cm of new snow may fall by the end of the day on Friday with strong southwest wind, creating fresh, reactive wind slabs. A small wind slab avalanche may step down to the surface hoar layer below.
With the spring sun packing a punch, be especially aware of your exposure to slopes below cornices during the heat of the afternoon.
This problem represents older wind slabs that are sitting over surface hoar in sheltered, shaded terrain.
On Wednesday, near White Pass, numerous avalanches were reported on steep slopes facing the sun, mostly small (size 1.5), but a few large (max size 3).
With cloudier weather forecasted for Friday, this sort avalanche activity is not expected.
On Tuesday, dry snow sluffing was reported in steep terrain
A variety of surfaces exist across aspects and elevations. Firm, supportive crusts are present at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes.
In higher-elevation terrain sheltered from sun and wind, 10-15 cm of recent snow overlies a mix of older, wind-affected surfaces.
A weak layer of surface hoar may persist 30 to 60 cm below the surface in northerly alpine terrain.
The lower snowpack remains faceted and generally weak, especially in shallow snowpack areas.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 4 cm of snow expected near the American border, with amounts dropping off quickly as you move inland from White Pass. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, increasing to 60 km/h through the night. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected near the American border, with amounts dropping off quickly as you move inland from White Pass. 55 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
