Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Very warm temperatures and strong sun will maintain a threat of wet avalanches on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Time your travel to be off of and out from under sun-exposed slopes before the snow becomes wet and weak.  Make sure to stay off of and well out from under cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet avalanches will first be active on the east aspects and later on the west aspects. As you move through the mountains, take note of how much the surface snow has frozen or melted.  You may find dramatically different conditions at different aspects or elevations and as the day progresses. Plan ahead and be ready to move to slopes that are shaded or under 35 degrees. Move off of steep slopes before the snow is unsupportive and weak enough to entrain an avalanche.

    Thursday will be the warmest day of the spring so far. There's still enough dry snow available to produce avalanches especially at mid to upper elevations and on northeast and northwest aspects. East wind may again keep surfaces a bit cooler than normal, especially at mid to upper elevations. 

    (4/9/2021) Example small wet loose avalanches from near Stevens Pass.

Avalanche Discussion

West winds followed by more recent east winds formed shallow wind slabs on leeward sides of ridges. Cornices loom over many ridges and may fall during the warm days this week. Glide cracks have again begun to open in steep rocky terrain. Use extra caution to avoid being on or under features with glide cracks and cornices. We expect significantly warmer temperatures starting on Thursday. Dangerous wet avalanche conditions may develop by the weekend.

WSDOT highway forecasters have been working to clear Highway 20. On Thursday, they dug a profile on a southeast aspect at 4,000ft in one of the Cutthroat avalanche paths. They found over 5 feet of snow on the ground with a couple of recent storm layers in the top foot of the snowpack and a layer of rounding facets near the ground. Most of the snowpack was dry. Many slopes still hold cold, winter-like snow. Since the 7th, two storms brought a total of 6" to 1 foot of snow. The middle and lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.

Information and access to avalanche terrain have become limited in the zone. Make your own assessment of conditions. If you find conditions different than those mentioned here, defer to lower-angle slopes and more conservative terrain. Help us keep up with the changing spring conditions by submitting an observation here. 

Daily avalanche forecasts will end on Sunday, April 18th. 

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.

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