Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avoid steep slopes with recent wind drifts or where the snow feels stiff and slabby. Snow coverage remains thin and uneven across much of the forecast zone, and ongoing road damage continues to complicate access to the mountains.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind speeds for Saturday are not particularly strong, but there is enough soft new snow for the wind to drift it and build fresh slabs. You are most likely to trigger one of these avalanches on the downwind side of ridgelines where the wind is actively drifting snow. Small test slopes can provide feedback about stability. The simplest solution is to stick to sheltered terrain or lower-angle slopes.

    A stout crust can be found below the new snow. Tracking the depth of this crust is a great way to gauge new snow and wind slab thickness as you gain elevation or change aspects. Expect more snowfall and stronger winds along the Cascade Crest, with snowfall tapering the farther east you go.

    (12/8/2024)

    Visual clues such as actively blowing snow, fresh cornices, or pillow-like drifts can help identify wind-loaded slopes.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Warm temperatures finally relented overnight, with many stations dropping 10–12 degrees between Thursday evening and early Friday morning. The Bumping and Green Lake SNOTEL weather stations each picked up about 1.5 inches of precipitation in the last 24 hours, with roughly half falling as dry snow. There is currently 43 inches of snow on the ground at mid elevation at White Pass, and snowfall continued there throughout the day. Look for anywhere from 4 to 12 inches of new snow over a crust, depending on where you go into the mountains.

On-the-ground observations remain sparse due to shallow snow cover and access challenges from recent washouts and landslides. Be prepared to assess the actual avalanche danger for yourself as you climb into snow-covered terrain. Variations in precipitation and new snow totals, the amount of snow on the ground, and temperatures can result in very different conditions within a single forecast zone.

Early-season hazards such as exposed or partially covered rocks, downed trees, and open creeks are still out there and will be for some time. Getting caught in even a small avalanche can have serious consequences with rugged terrain in the runout below.

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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