Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A few inches of fresh snow with strong winds may build shallow slabs of snow in wind-affected terrain. Don't let these avalanches catch you off guard in steep consequential terrain. There may be higher snow totals near and west of the Crest, so if you are traveling near the western border of the zone, avalanches may be larger and more dangerous. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Winter weather is hanging on, and the Cascades are in store for another round of snow and strong winds. This storm isn't quite as big of a snow producer as the last storm, but the east slopes of the Cascades could pick up 3-6inches of new snow, with higher amounts as you get close to the Crest. The strong winds will likely develop stiff wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations. With wind speeds forecasted into the 30-40mph range, these slabs may form in unusual places and further downslope than you may expect. With more snow likely to accumulate near the Crest, wind slabs may be larger as you approach the West South and East South zone border. Use visual clues to identify wind-affected snow, such as actively blowing snow, textured surfaces, cornices, or drifts around rocks and trees. You can also use quick hand pits to dig down and identify wind stiffened snow over softer snow. If you see signs of instability such as shooting cracks or collapsing, stick to lower angle slopes or wind-sheltered terrain.

    Rough surfaces and a thin snowpack limit avalanche hazard at lower elevations throughout the zone.

    (1/9/2022) Example of small wind slabs in steep, consequential terrain. Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Access into areas of the East South with a consistent snowpack is becoming increasingly challenging, and therefore direct observations from the zone are limited. However, nearly 1-2ft of snow fell early in the week and now rests on the Early April Crust. This snow was then baked by midweek temperatures that soared into the 50s (F) and the intense spring sun. As a result, NWAC staff observed widespread loose wet activity and a few natural wet slabs in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area of the neighboring West South zone. Temperatures declined quickly on Friday morning, and surfaces likely refroze just slightly.Even with a few inches of fresh snow, you can expect challenging travel conditions on an icy crust that may or may not be supportable. A shallow, patchy snowpack exists in the southern and eastern areas of the zone, even on shaded north aspects. Some southern slopes are snow-free up to 5700ft. Use extra caution in these lower elevations where obstacles may be lurking just under the new snow, and creek holes may be drifted over or hidden.

Regions covered