Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Temperatures are cooling, and avalanche concerns are shifting to areas where strong winds drift snow into stiff slabs. You could trigger an avalanche at the base of cliffs, near ridgelines, and in open terrain with gully features. Choose lower-angle terrain if you observe drifting snow or long shooting cracks in wind stiffened snow.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    The strong winds with this storm will continue through at least late on Monday. As temperatures cool and snow accumulates, we'll likely see reactive small wind slabs develop. All the prime locations for wind slabs should be suspect, slopes below ridgelines, the base of cliffs, and confined gullies. However, with these strong wind speeds, you should also look for wind slabs that form in atypical locations, such as further downslope than usual or steep midslope features in typically sheltered terrain. Look for actively drifting snow or textured surfaces as indicators of wind-loaded terrain. Choose lower-angle slopes if test slopes show shooting cracks or you observe recent avalanches. 

    More snow will accumulate at higher elevations and closer to the Cascade Crest, so expect more widespread and larger avalanches farther west in the zone. 

    (3/6/2026)

    A test slope showed unstable cracking in wind-loaded snow.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

Snow totals will drop off significantly east of the Cascade Crest. While 4-6" of fresh snow could accumulate in the Salmon La Sac Area, the Wenatchee mountains may only see 1-2". Winds will be the biggest player in this storm, and in open terrain, it's likely to feel quite blizzard-like. We expect a favorable bond with the old snow surface, but it's worth digging down to observe. If you find the new snow slides easily and it's more than 6" deep, small storm slabs could be possible even on sheltered slopes. We are gaining confidence that the older, persistent weak layers are healing. We've been tracking the 2/13 buried surface hoar and facets around the 2/7 crust. Avalanche activity on these layers was isolated to wind loaded terrain after the last February and early March storms, and we haven't had any activity since March 2nd. For the last three days, snow professionals at Mission Ridge and the Salmon La Sac have reported no notable snowpack test results associated with these layers. During the warm spell, the upper snowpack was wetted down to the 2/7 crust. Wet, weak layers can act in unlikely, but surprising ways, so until the snowpack refreezes, these weak snow layers should remain on your mind. With increased uncertainty, ease into the terrain and dig down to identify any strong over weak layering before committing to consequential, steep slopes. 

Prepare for a steep entry fee to reach higher-elevation terrain where enough snow exists for on-snow recreation. Blewett Pass and Icicle Creek remain unskiable/sledable. Trailheads and groomed roads are very patchy until you get to at least 5000ft. Give yourself extra time and take precautions when negotiating these conditions.

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