Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Wet loose avalanches are a concern with sunshine and warm temperatures at middle and upper elevations. If you find fresh rollerballs, unsupportable wet snow, or recent natural avalanches, avoid similar slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Watch out for obstacles in the shallow, early season snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Small human-triggered wet loose avalanches will be possible on aspects that see direct sun on Monday. As the day warms up, look for signs of wet snow instability. The typical progression of wet loose avalanches involves rollerballs and pinwheels, leading to larger point releases. Large chunks of snow falling off trees or cliffs, and sticky snow surfaces indicate warming.

    Exposed early season hazards will increase the consequences of being caught and carried in an avalanche. Wet avalanche debris is more heavy and can be difficult to escape from. Your best tool will be to judge the feel of the snowpack beneath your skis or sled. If it feels heavy and sticky, move to lower angle or shadier slopes.

    (11/30/2024)

    Wet loose avalanches observed in the West South zone on Sunday.

    Photo: Steven Richards

Avalanche Discussion

High pressure loiters unwelcomely over much of the forecast region. A solid refreeze Sunday night means melt-freeze crusts at the surface must break down first before the snowpack begins to lose strength. This will keep the snowpack on solar aspects stable for longer as the sun rises. However, the inversion cloud deck will drop on Monday, exposing more terrain to direct sunshine. A sunny slope holding soft, dry snow will become wet and unstable more quickly.

Observers reported small wet loose avalanches in the Teanaway on Sunday. In general, there is still limited information regarding much of the East Central zone. The snowpack is variable, making access to terrain difficult. If you plan on getting back into some far-flung places, be prepared to make your own snowpack assessments. Dig quick hand pits and look for recent avalanches, collapsing and cracking, and signs of rapid warming.

There could still be lingering isolated pockets of wind slabs in more complex and exposed terrain that has stayed cold and dry. An excellent way to identify areas of concern before you step out into steeper terrain is by stomping on small test slopes. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are clear signs that you have found an unstable slab.

An early-season snowpack still exists across the zone. Low tide hazards still abound. In addition to colliding with barely covered hazards like stumps and downed logs, an avalanche can drag you over rocks or push you into open creeks or cliffs. Give yourself the time and space to navigate these early season conditions, no matter your elevation.

Regions covered