Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist where storm snow rests on weak layers. The hazard is prominent on wind loaded terrain or in areas closer to the Cascade crest. Choose low-angle terrain free of large, overhead slopes for safer riding or touring. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Recent new snow and a dose of strong winds have built wind slabs on exposed terrain across the zone. In many cases, these slabs are likely resting over weak, faceted snow or a firm crust from our January drought. Expect these slabs to be larger and more widespread as you gain elevation.

    You’ll often find these wind slabs on the downwind side of ridges and cliffs, below cornices, and on mid-slope convexities. You can use visual clues like blowing snow and surface textures like ripples and dunes, to help you identify wind-loaded features. Shooting cracks or audible whumphs are great reasons to dial it back. 

    Any triggered wind slab could break on faceted snow from January and become a much larger avalanche. Keep your terrain selection conservative by avoiding steep, wind-loaded features.

    (2/1/2025)

    Blowing snow, fresh drifts, sharp cornices, and rime all point towards wind loading along this ridgeline. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2

    Triggering a large, 1-3 ft thick avalanche is now a concerning possibility in the East South forecast zone. You are most likely to trigger this problem closer to the cascade crest or in wind loaded terrain. This type of problem is not straightforward to manage. You could trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes. They may break surprisingly wide and wrap around terrain features.

    The easiest way to manage this problem is to stick to low-angle terrain without overhead hazards. Slabs could be particularly sensitive on rollovers or convexities, especially in wind exposed terrain. Monitor the cohesiveness of the surface snow and look for signs of a sensitive slab, such as cracking or collapsing.

    (2/1/2025)

    This intentionally triggered persistent slab, propagated the entire width of the feature. It failed on facets over a thin crust. ENE, 6200ft, SS-ASc-D2-R3-O, 20-24 in deep, 200 ft wide.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

A persistent slab problem has officially been added into the East South forecast area. Depending on where you are in the zone, 7 - 15 inches have fallen over weak, faceted surfaces. Observers in the neighboring West South continue to report unstable test results and avalanches failing on the January drought layer (observation here).  Another observer traveling very closely to the East South on Mt Adams also reported an avalanche failing 1.5 ft deep on the January Drought Layer (JDL). While we haven't seen any confirmed avalanches in the East South, we know the recipe exists. The most likely places you can trigger this type of avalanche will be in wind loaded terrain or in locations that received more recent snow like Bumping Lake or closer to the  Cascade Crest. 

Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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