Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger avalanches in recent snow on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, especially where you find stiffer layers over soft snow. In the eastern mountains, you may be able to trigger avalanches in older weak layers. Expect heavier snow accumulations on the western and southeastern edges of the zone.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    High Danger and an Avalanche Warning have been issued for neighboring zones. If you're traveling near the east, south, or western borders, check out the East Central and West North forecasts.

    You can trigger avalanches in the new snow on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Avalanches will be bigger at upper elevations where you may see wind-drifting from southerly wind, as well as on the western and southeastern boundaries of the zone where higher snow accumulation may be found. Use caution on steep slopes and steer around typical trigger points like convex rollovers, unsupported slopes, and shallow areas near rocks. Look for heavier, stiffer snow resting on light, soft snow as conditions that could lead to a storm slab avalanche. Near the valley floors, these avalanches may be moist or wet. Recently, observers have reported fast and far running avalanches in loose snow. If this storm adds cohesive snow, You may be able to easily trigger reactive storm slabs.

    (1/27/2021) Loose dry avalanches have been occurring over slick crusts in the area. Photo by Drew Lovell.

Avalanche Discussion

To the south and east, very dangerous avalanche conditions exist with active persistent slab avalanche problems.

Light snowfall has slowly loaded a variety of snow surfaces since January 24th. At upper elevations near and just east of Washington Pass, the snowpack is deep and strong, though faceted snow was observed on shaded aspects prior to the storm. Below about 5,000ft in the Highway 20 corridor, large surface hoar was observed sitting on a crust prior to the recent snow. On Wednesday, observers in the eastern mountains of the lower Methow Valley reported cracking and collapsing on older facets in snow from early January. Expect to find a shallower and weaker snowpack and more dangerous conditions in the eastern part of the zone. If you travel to areas such as the Chelan-Sawtooth Mountains, Twisp River, and Chewuch drainages, take time to dig in the snow and look for older weak layers and consider traveling in lower angle terrain and smaller terrain features.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources. Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

Regions covered