East Slopes South

Small natural or human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible on any steep sunny slope near or above treeline as the freezing level continues to push higher Saturday.  Limit your exposure to large avalanche paths, especially where a wet snow avalanche or cornice fall could awaken deeper instabilities in the snowpack.

The warmest day in this stretch of spring-like weather continues to keep wet snow avalanches in the forefront Saturday.  Steep sunny slopes at higher elevations that haven't released small wet loose avalanches or rollerballs may be ready to slide on Saturday naturally or with your help.  Small avalanches can be triggered in isolated areas during Low danger.  Avoid extreme terrain features at lower elevations where you find wet surface snow. 

Following a cold and snowy February that featured several distinct avalanche cycles, the last week has been milder and relatively tame.  Deep slab instabilities above the mid-January crust/facet combo caused very large and even historic avalanches in neighboring zones from late February through the first days of March.  The most recent large-very large natural avalanche observed near the East South zone occurred on March 1st on Spiral Butte just east of White Pass.  We have dropped the Deep Persistent Slab problem in the neighboring zones except for East Central. In the Wenatchee mountains where this interface is closer to 2-3 feet down from the surface, snowpack tests and isolated reports of whumpfing mean this problem may be unlikely but not done for now. 

In areas of the zone with a shallower snowpack, especially higher elevation start zones with aspects on the northern half of the compass, continue to avoid traveling in or lingering below large avalanche paths.  Cornices have grown large over the last few weeks and deserve your respect while traveling along ridgelines or below slopes with overhanging cornices.  Cornice fall could be the right-sized trigger to wake up deeper instabilities.  Make your travel plans with this low-likelihood, high-consequence deep slab avalanche problem in mind. Take a look at the media reel or Conditions Blog to get a sense of just how large and destructive these deep slab avalanches were less than 2 weeks ago.  

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.