Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Expect dangerous avalanche conditions in the Salmon la Sac, Teanaway, and areas near the crest where the snowpack is adjusting to a significant new storm load. Thick wind slabs may be triggered from a distance and run on faceted snow over a crust. Be wary of steep open slopes even below treeline if you find more than around 12" of new snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You'll be able to trigger the biggest avalanches on leeward slopes at upper elevations. Very strong winds have been, and will continue to form slabs on open, exposed slopes. Watch for indicators of these avalanches like wind stiffened snow, blowing snow, shooting cracks, and deeper drifts on leeward slopes. Steer around recent drifts and slabs on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Use extra caution because these slabs may be resting on weak facets over a crust.

    You may be able to trigger avalanches from far away, and they could break in surprising ways. If you see shooting cracks or get whumphing collapses, stick to slopes 30 degrees or less and put a large buffer of terrain between you and avalanche prone slopes. 

    An example of blowing snow, an indicator of wind slab avalanches.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Some areas near the crest likely have around a foot of new snow, and it continues to trickle in. The storm snow may be poorly bonded to underlying interfaces in some areas. Variable old snow surfaces will make for variable reactivity across different slopes. Some slopes may be near their tipping point and only need a trigger, while others may not slide with many riders. Steep northwest through northeast aspects below the previous inversion have held the weakest old snow surfaces, and may be most suspect for starting avalanches.

    This is a funky situation, because slopes may be problematic in places they rarely are - at low elevations. If you find more than 12" of new snow, rethink your terrain selection below treeline as if you could trigger slides there. It would be wise to give it a few days before riding in terrain where avalanches could be consequential. Monitor how the new snow is bonding to older layers, and look for whumphing collapses, and shooting cracks as you travel. 

    (1/31/2022)

    Small fracture on a NW aspect at 4,000ft. This failed on very weak faceted grains within a crust/facet sandwich. Small whumphing was also observed on nearby slopes.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Uncertainty continues around how well the new snow is bonding to older, weak snow surfaces especially in areas near the crest where over a foot of new snow may have fallen on Monday. In the eastern portion of the zone, including the Wenatchee Mountains and Eastern foothills, new snow amounts are minimal and avalanche danger is limited to leeward sides of ridges. Closer to the Cascade Crest in the Cle Elum, Teanaway, and Icicle drainages you may find dangerous avalanche conditions even below treeline due to higher snow accumulation. Prior to the storm, observers found near-surface facets on a variety of shaded, northerly slopes and surface hoar on similar aspects below 4,700ft. Approach steep slopes with an assessment mindset and be ready to move to lower-angled terrain if you find reactive avalanche conditions. 

Regions covered