ACMG Mountain Conditions Report Coastal Mountains
The coastal mountains are under the influence of cool and unsettled weather.
NORTH COAST; Limited observations from the North Coast report about 70% of normal spring snowpack. This is resulting in less bridging over the crevasses than one would find in a "normal" year. Avalanche observations have reported nothing unusual, or significant to report.
CENTRAL COAST; The higher alpine areas received some snow in the past week. Storm snow amounts vary, with up to 60cm reported in some areas. The weather in general appears to be drier in central coast than the southern areas.
SOUTH COAST AND NORTH CASCADES
The weather in the past week was dominated by pulses of moisture with short dry breaks between sytems. In alpine areas, the moisture fell as snow from time to time. The snowpack has consolidated and has been pretty good for travelling in North cascades / Washington Pass area. The skiing is good smooth spring skiing above 5000ft, and the boot penetration is minimal, with proper boots and an ice axe, you could make approaches to South aspect alpine rock.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK;
Unfortunately, the weather seems to be changing to "upslope" conditions, in other words, the east side of the range is getting moisture and isn't as dry as it usually is.
As I am writing this, we are camped at Frenchmans's Coulee. There were some rain showers yesterday, but the rock is dry, and the temperature is perfect, a T shirt and a sweater was all you needed.
Good Luck, and be flexible with plans!
Paul Bernsten
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide