Lawinenlagebericht

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

The sun is expected to poke out on Sunday which should set the stage for a round of wet avalanches involving the new snow above 6000 ft. Triggering a larger (2-4 foot thick) avalanche remains a concerning possibility on north facing, upper elevation slopes. Above the snow line, avoid steep slopes during periods of warming and continue to be patient around steep, wind swept terrain on the north side of the compass. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will continue to initiate on Sunday, especially as the sun starts poking out. During these periods don't be surprised to find newer snow failing easily under your feet or sled.  Give larger slopes some space if you start noticing rollerballs and pinwheels. You don't need a large avalanche to ruin your day in consequential terrain. 

    (12/7/2023)

    An example of a wet avalanche. 

    Photo: Willie Webster

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–3

    Triggering an unsurvivable 2-4 foot thick persistent slab remains a concerning possibility on the north side of the compass at upper elevations. 

    Despite the recent warm-up, we’re still hearing reports of dry snow- and unfortunately weak, faceted grains adjacent to the Early February Crust (EFC) in the East Central zone. While we don’t have recent confirmation of this structure in the east south, we suspect it could be an issue along northerlies above 6000 ft. 

    These avalanches can act surprisingly, often propagating widely or being triggered from a distance. You may or may not receive feedback before triggering this type of avalanche. The best way to reduce your risk of triggering one of these is by avoiding steep, rocky, wind swept terrain on the north side of the compass. 

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: You may encounter wind slabs in exposed upper elevation terrain. Slabs will be thicker and more widespread in alpine terrain. Any wind slabs that you encounter may be perched above weak structure or a slick crust, making avalanches easier to trigger and wider than you'd expect. 

    (3/6/2024)

    Steep, shady, wind-loaded terrain is the type of terrain that the persistent problem could plague. 

    Photo: Anthony Lubetski

Avalanche Discussion

Clearing skies are in forecast for Sunday. As the sun starts poking out, be ready for wet loose avalanches in areas that received new snow. 

This past system favored the east slopes of the Cascades. Weather stations across the zone picked up anywhere from .5.-1.00 inch of water equivalent which translates to 6-12 inch of new snow above the snow line. Observers in neighboring zones reported wet snow easily shedding and even small storm slabs releasing. 

NWAC Forecaster Katie Warren was out in the Ahtanum/Darland Mt area on Tuesday. The prolonged period of sun and warm temperatures had done a number on the lower elevation snowpack and steeper southerly slopes. The snowpack on southerly aspects was wet and moist to the ground, but more supportable than other sunny aspects where you could punch through wet snow to your waist. Northerly aspects held a colder, more layered snowpack and the early February crust was easy to find about 4' down on a N aspect @ 6700'. 

You can contribute to the forecast! Submit an observation here.

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