Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Westerly winds kept transporting snow throughout the day on Monday. You may still be able to trigger avalanches in stiff wind drifted snow at upper elevations, particularly on very steep ridges or in exposed alpine terrain. Look for these smooth, pillowlike drifts and steer around these features where you find them on steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Westerly winds have continued to blow snow around at mid and upper elevations. We expect most of these slabs to be small and are becoming more difficult to trigger. However, don't let your guard down in steep terrain near ridges, rocks, cliffs, and confined features where even small avalanches could have high consequences. Cornice features, textured surfaces, and stiff snow over softer snow are all ways to identify wind slabs. Before committing to steep slopes in wind exposed areas, look for signs of instability in small test slopes, such as long shooting cracks. If you identify any signs of unstable snow, steer around these stiff pillowlike slabs or stick to lower angle and less consequential terrain. 

    (1/21/2023)

    These cornice formations and textured surfaces are a good indication that wind slabs are present on this slope. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

We expect some high clouds to keep wet loose avalanches concerns to a minimum. However, if you find yourself on steep southern slopes in the afternoon and the sun feels strong, you may see some small wet loose avalanches. Cliffs, rocks, and tree bombs are often where these avalanches initiate from, so be aware of any overhead hazard.

On Saturday, our NWAC intern Brooke Maushund and I investigated a very widely propagating avalanche in Turnpike creek in the Ingalls watershed that ran on the 1/4 surface hoar layer during the MLK storm. There have been no recent avalanches on this layer in the East Central Zone, and the last reported avalanche was last week near Stevens Pass. While there may be some very isolated pockets of terrain where you could trigger an avalanche on this layer, it no longer warrants a specific problem in the forecast. You should still consider digging down to identify this layer if traveling in sheltered northerly aspects near and above treeline. If you find this layer well preserved, default to low angle terrain to reduce your exposure.  

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