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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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering soft or hard slabs of wind-drifted snow remains possible in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Be suspicious of terrain that promotes drifting, like the downwind sides of saddles between peaks, the tops of chutes, and the lee sides of corniced ridges. You can reduce your exposure to this problem by choosing lower-angle routes out of the wind. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    While precipitation may taper, west winds will stay in transport speeds through the day. Look for new snow to be easily transported into slabs 1-2 ft thick in more favored areas. Expect these slabs to range from soft to hard depending on elevation and exposure to the wind. If slabs feel soft, using small test slopes can provide reliable feedback when assessing reactivity. However, if they feel stiff and hollow, don’t trust them and give them extra space. You can generally expect these slabs to be larger, closer to the Cascade Crest. 

    Recent observations report irregular loading due to strong wind speeds. You may find these slabs in less common areas, like on mid-slope convexities or further down in the trees. Be suspicious of any leeward terrain that can collect wind drifted snow. You’ll commonly find slabs on the downwind sides of ridges, below cornices, or in rocky exposed terrain. Visual clues like textured snow surfaces, sharp drifts, and blowing snow can help you identify what slopes slopes of concern. Shooting cracks under your feet or machine are obvious signs you found an unstable slab. 

    (1/4/2026)

    Large old cornices on Mt Cashmere. NE, 6500ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Monday is shaping up to be a pleasant day in the mountains before more active weather arrives on Tuesday. You’ll likely notice some sun poking through the clouds, especially further east in the zone. With that in mind, keep an eye out for wet-snow instabilities that could form on steep, solar aspects if the sun makes an appearence. These likely won’t be big or widespread across the zone, but they may be fairly predictable and peel off steep rocky slopes if the skies trend bluer. Consider moving to shadier slopes in bigger terrain if you notice rollerballs and pinwheels peeling off steep, sunny aspects.

Monday brought a light, welcome refresh across the zone. An NWAC forecaster traveled up Icicle Creek on Sunday. They reported 4-6 inches of recent snow resting over a recently buried melt-freeze crust. They also reported a right-side-up snowpack structure and plenty of signs of recent loading thanks to recent strong winds. 

While the snowpack is generally strong due to recent warm temperatures, we’re still filling in the gaps at upper elevations and in more remote parts of the zone. If you find yourself in higher terrain or more far-flung areas further north, consider digging down and looking for weak layers that could exist 1-2 feet below the snow surface. Many locations below 4000ft have minimal snow for recreation.

The snowpack remains thin for early January. Many avalanche paths are littered with rocks, creeks, and early-season terrain depressions. In choosing terrain to ride, consider the consequence of a slide- if one happens, where will it take you? Look for slopes with a clean run-out free of bone-breaking trees, creeks, and rocks. 

 

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