Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Snow will taper off, but strong winds may linger into the early morning hours and drift snow into stiff slabs where you can trigger avalanches. Higher elevations near ridges, steep mid-slope rolls, and the base of cliffs are likely spots to find these slabs. Steer around these deep "fat" looking drifts where you find them on steep slopes or stick to wind-sheltered areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong westerly ridgeline winds are drifting recent snow into reactive wind slabs, particularly at upper elevations and areas near the Cascade Crest with higher storm snow totals. The most likely locations to trigger avalanches are on steep slopes below ridges or mid-slope features such as convex rolls. With wind speeds up to 30mph, you may find wind slabs lower down on the slope than you would typically expect. Look for signs of wind slab formation, such as actively drifting snow and textured surfaces. You can also use your probe or pole to feel for stiffer snow over softer snow layers. Steer around these wind-stiffened drifts in steep terrain. Cracks that shoot away from your feet or equipment are a sure sign of unstable wind slabs. If you observe these long cracks, use lower-angle routes or move to sheltered terrain. 

    (2/8/2023)

    Wind texturing on this snow surface indicates wind slabs may be present. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

In favored areas near the Cascade Crest, 5-6 inches of snow accumulated along with strong winds throughout the day on Monday. Places further east did not quite get as much snow but were also not spared the strong winds. Wind speeds at Sedge Ridge, just outside Ahtanum Meadows, were in the mid-30mph range for over 7hrs. Precipitation will taper off, but winds will continue into the morning hours on Tuesday. Warm temperatures dropped below freezing, and with the lack of new snow, these wet snow surfaces are refrozen and present challenging travel conditions. So anticipate slippery melt-freeze crusts and refrozen "chunder" under the forest canopy.

The MLK crust remains a prominent marker in the upper snowpack. Last Wednesday, NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaporta found this layer 1-2' below the snow surface. While some weak snow is associated with the crust, snowpack tests where they traveled did not produce propagating test results. The weakest snow associated with this interface (rounding facets)was on shaded aspects (NW-N-NE) above 6500 ft.

Regions covered