Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Blowing snow, shooting cracks, and recent slab avalanches are signs that recently drifted snow is unstable. Stick to slopes less than 35 degrees where you find signs of instability and evidence of recent wind-transported snow. It still may be possible to trigger small avalanches in the new snow in wind-sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Blowing snow and recently sculpted drifts will direct you to areas where you could trigger avalanches. The most dangerous slopes will be at upper elevations. Deeper, older slabs could still be found just below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies. A dusting of new snow may cover Saturday's slabs. Feel for stiffer, wind-loaded snow on leeward sides of ridges and wind-exposed features.

    (12/27/2024)

    A small skier triggered wind slab avalanche in the East Central zone. The crown depth is 18 inches (12/27/24).

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday was incredibly windy throughout the zone. The Wenatchee Mountains stayed relatively dry above 4,500ft, while areas near the Cascade crest received significantly more rain. Observers reported rain to 5,000ft and hearing natural avalanches near Teanaway Mtn. At Mission Ridge, winds were extreme above 6,000ft and strong as low as 5,000ft. 

On Friday, observers reported a small, skier-triggered wind slab avalanche in Stemilt Basin that ran on the Solstice Crust. Other reports from Mission Ridge and the Teanaway pointed towards good bonding to the Crust and better stability overall. After this week's windy storms, you could still find older slabs loitering in atypical locations i.e. lower down on slopes and in exposed terrain at lower elevations that have not seen rain and warmth. If you find signs of wind-transported snow, take the time to investigate if the slope is loaded before stepping onto it. If you find cracking and collapsing in more sheltered areas, you have found storm slab instability. Step back from steep slopes if you encounter these signs.

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