East Slopes South

Wednesday night and Thursday will be a few degrees warmer. We expect clear skies to help surfaces re-freeze overnight. But take note of how surfaces feel in the morning. If they are already soft, they could be more prime for small, wet loose avalanches. During these spring days, monitoring surface conditions is the best way to avoid triggering a wet avalanche or being caught below when a cornice falls. If surfaces warm in the afternoon and you're sinking in deeply, it might be time to move to lower-angle terrain. It's also best to move quickly as you travel beneath overhead hazards, such as cornices or rock slabs, that could still shed snow. 

Public observations have been limited due to low snow and difficult access. An NWAC Forecaster around Bumping Lake on Friday reported very patchy snow coverage and rugged travel to 5200 ft (observation here). In the neighboring West South, numerous shed-style observations have occurred during the recent warm stretch of weather.  

Diurnal temperature fluctuations and historically low snow have made mountain travel challenging this spring. Expect a plethora of spring hazards, such as shallowly buried objects, high creeks, and very firm snow, during the morning hours. Crampons, an ice axe, and experience moving through hard snow may be necessary on steeper slopes before the sun works its magic. 

The prolonged warm spell in March decimated the already struggling East South snowpack. 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. You can still find rideable snow at middle and upper elevations on most aspects. 

Are you heading out into the mountains?  Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp