Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Surface conditions are highly variable but may soften in the sun. Wet avalanches may become possible in steep terrain with daytime warming. Move away from large, consequential slopes if you find unsupportable wet snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Avalanches may become possible on very steep slopes with daytime warming. Look for punchy, wet snow if surface crusts melt away. Fresh rollerballs and sticky snow surfaces are also a good indicators you could trigger loose slides. If you begin sinking into wet snow deeper than your ankles, it's time to move off from steep slopes. If you find a thick crust topping snow surfaces, then avalanches are unlikely. 

    Other dangers of warming temperatures could include cornice failures and glide avalanches. Limit your exposure or change your route to avoid exposure to these hazards.

    (1/14/2022)

    Older, deep slab release off Rock Mountain. Small wet loose roller balls have occurred since, and large cornices loom.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Snow surfaces have been freezing at night, and melting during the daytime (in the sun). Although warm temperatures are in store overnight and into Monday, raditional cooling and long January nights should freeze surfaces well. Expect variable surface conditions, and in large part may depend on aspect and time of day. You could find anything from sun softened snow, breakable crust, to supportable and/or slick crust. Folks have been finding surface hoar sitting on the crust on shaded slopes. On the 12th and 13th, observers noted large avalanches off Wedge Mountain, Icicle Ridge, and Tumwater Canyons. It appears these avalanches have largely run their course, and the snowpack is settling despite the warm temperatures. 

Now is a good time to track surface conditions before the next snowfall. Faceted grains and/or surface hoar resting on a crust is a recipe for a persistent weak layer further down the road, so let's all do our best to map whats out there before it gets buried.

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