West Slopes South

Wind drifts, and slabs will build quickly on Wednesday as precipitation intensifies and wind speeds turn up. Near the cascade crest and mountain gaps, stronger gusts are expected, with potentially flip-flopping direction. In most areas, any wind-blown snow will be deposited onto firm crust surfaces, which could provide easy sliding surfaces for avalanches.

As usual, these slabs often form around and just below ridgelines, below cliff bands, and on exposed slopes. However, the shifting wind direction will complicate the distribution. You'll have to use active observations to identify where this problem exists. Look for active wind-blown snow, fresh cornices, and wind lips to identify wind-loaded aspects. If you find yourself traveling through unusually deep, dense snow, you may be in an area of wind-deposited snow. As the storm sets in, shift your travel from exposed, steep slopes to wind-sheltered terrain. At higher elevations, consider sticking to lower-angle terrain as conditions worsen. 

A period of warming on Wednesday will bring the possibility of wet avalanches. Fortunately, this problem should be confined to lower elevations with the warmer weather. It doesn't have to necessarily be raining for wet avalanches to occur; dense, wet snow can cause them as well. Wet avalanches will be increasingly possible as the temperatures warm, and cold snow falling from the sky turns warm and wet, eventually to rain.

While you're out, keep an eye on the precipitation and temperatures. If you start to feel soggy, or you notice water dripping from the trees or jacket, wet avalanches may be on the rise. Move to lower-angle terrain as the day warms up, to limit your exposure.