Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While the avalanche danger may be low, that doesn’t mean every slope is safe. Continue to use caution if you travel on steep, solar slopes during the heat of the day or on higher terrain that could harbor lingering pockets of unstable, wind drifted snow. Early season hazards are still prominent and will easily worsen the consequence of a small avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    While the likelihood of triggering wet loose avalanches has decreased with time, I would still use caution around steep and rocky terrain that faces south during the heat of the day. As temperatures rise, track the depth of your boot penetration and look for obvious signs of warming, like rollerballs and pinwheels. Consider moving to shadier slopes if you see signs of warming or find yourself sinking past your ankles into slushy, wet snow. 

    (11/27/2024)

    You wont see wet loose everywhere, but if you do, they'll likely be under rock and cliffbands, along south facing slopes. 

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

This persistent high pressure pattern looks to continue for a couple more days. During this time look for sharp inversions with cold temperatures below 4000 ft and mild temperatures above. 

Despite the high freezing levels, folks are still enjoying preserved cold snow along  N-E aspects in the eastern mountains. In these areas, you may still find a lingering wind slab at the highest elevations. Pay attention to signs of recent loading and consider giving these pockets a quick test before committing to steeper features. Step it back if you notice hollow-sounding snow or cracks shooting out from under your feet or machine.

You’ll start seeing the impacts of the warm temperatures once you move to southerly slopes. Here you’ll likely find a crust during the morning hours and wet snow surfaces develop as the day heats up. 

The lack of new weather new inputs and recent snowpack observations from neighboring zones are contributing to the drop in avalanche danger in the East South. Over the past days, we’ve seen less wet loose activity across the region as move several days past the initial warm-up. We speculate that any future wet loose will be isolated in nature and confined to steep, solar aspects; places like rocky outcrops and cliff bands. These should generally stay small, but don’t let a small avalanche rake you through the wrong terrain.

Regardless of elevation, numerous obstacles still exist. Rocks, logs, bushes, and creeks all make travel a bit more challenging. A few excellent observations from the East South emphasize the generally thin and variable early-season snow depths. 

It's still early in the season and observations are sparse. During these periods, it's wise to increase your margins and do your homework as you ease into the early season snowpack.

If you get out, let us know what you see, by submitting a public observation! 

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