East Slopes North

Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Warming temperatures may create the potential for small wet loose avalanches on steep slopes that face the sun. Look to stay out from underneath hazards of the mountains such as cornices, and glide avalanches.

We are in a melt-freeze pattern, where each day the snow surface will melt in the sun, and refreeze at night. Avalanche danger is dependent upon how thick the surface freeze becomes, and how fast that crust breaks down. If you find yourself in deep, punchy, wet snow, then avalanches may become possible. Observers on Saturday reported a supportable melt-freeze crust, that didn't fully break down by the time they left the field. They also reported the potential for long slides on firm, icy slopes. On Thursday, observers reported large (D2.5) wet avalanches out of Cutthroat and Liberty Bell Paths. This cycle of wet avalanches likely occurred on Tuesday/Wednesday with rain to at least 7,400ft. Very large, deep slab avalanches were spotted in the neighboring West North zone on Friday. Check out the obs page for photos.

Prior to the recent, warm storm, observers found a variety of snow surfaces including thin surface hoar, sun crusts, and decomposing snowflakes. On, Monday observers reported a rain crust about 8" below the surface that exists below 5,300ft and roughly west of Delancey Ridge. A significant winter storm wrapped up on the 7th. In the Highway 20 corridor observers noted a widespread cycle with avalanches up to D2.5.  Slab avalanches were reported at low elevations in the eastern part of the zone. An even more widespread cycle occurred at lower elevations and in sagebrush country in the East Central zone, including in places like along Hwy 97A above the Columbia River.  From January 5-7th, the Washington Pass area picked up roughly 3.3 inches of water with 2' of settling storm snow.  Mazama saw 18" over this period.  The storm ended with extreme westerly winds that transported significant snow at all elevations on the 7th and 8th.