Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

After a springlike day, winter weather will return with light snow and moderate winds. Expect increasing danger throughout the day with the potential for triggering avalanches in wind-drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. Consider sticking to wind-sheltered slopes or low-angle routes near ridgelines and alpine terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Westerly winds have shifted back to easterly again, and another round of light snow with moderate winds is in the forecast for Monday. Peak precipitation and winds are likely to occur during the day and build fresh shallow wind slabs on lee slopes near ridges. Use visual clues like blowing snow, textured surfaces, or cornices to help you identify and avoid freshly wind-loaded slopes.The unsettled, snowy, and windy weather has sustained for over a week, and older wind slabs are also lingering on most aspects and potentially in unusual locations. Since recent snow may cover these older wind slabs, they may be more difficult to identify visually, but you can use your pole or probe to feel for stiffer layers in the upper snowpack. With minimal direct observations and uncertainty about the distribution and sensitivity of these overlapping wind slabs, entering new terrain slowly and making observations before committing to steep terrain in wind-affected areas is important. If you see signs of instability such as shooting cracks or feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, move to lower angle or wind-sheltered terrain.

    (4/11/2022) Wind slabs were found in some unusual spots. Fresh slabs were observed on slopes often stripped by the wind. Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Snow levels will likely increase to 4000feet with this storm, and lower elevations will probably see rain on snow for the first time since 2-3 feet of snow has accumulated on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Since the low elevation snowpack is thin and we don't expect significant precipitation, any wet loose avalanches will mostly be very small. However, if you observe rain on snow or rollerballs in areas with a deep, consistent snowpack, it may be time to head for lower angle slopes. Even a small wet loose avalanche could be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain. Spring weather in the Cascades is notoriously tricky and can change rapidly. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability. Access into areas of the East South with a consistent snowpack has become challenging, and therefore direct observations from the zone are limited. However, snow is piling up on the 4/8 Crust, and stability test results in nearby White Pass show variable results on this interface. This crust is now 1-4 feet deep, and it is worth digging down to investigate this interface before committing to any steep terrain. Some southern slopes that were recently snow-free up to 5700ft may now have over a foot of snow. Use extra caution in these lower elevations where obstacles may be lurking just under the new snow, and creek holes may be drifted over or hidden.

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