Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Near the Cascade crest, triggering an avalanche in wind-deposited snow will be possible. It is unlikely, but not impossible, to trigger an avalanche elsewhere. If you encounter cracking, collapsing, or recent slab avalanches, step back onto slopes less than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You will find deeper slabs in the west side of the zone near the Cascade Crest that received more snow Saturday night. More sensitive slabs will be found on the east side of ridgelines where westerly wind transported snow. Isolated pockets of instability may be found in exposed terrain at middle elevations.

    Rippled, uneven snow surfaces indicate that wind has transported snow, and soft, pillowy wind slabs may be lurking nearby. Use small hand pits and test slopes to check the bond between new and old snow. Shooting cracks, collapsing, and recent slab avalanches are clear indicators that you have found an unstable slab. If you find signs of instability, stick to lower angle, wind-sheltered slopes.

    (11/27/2024)

    Shooting cracks at ridgeline, indicating wind slab instability, were found in the Teanaway in late November.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

The majority of the East Central zone did not get significant new snow totals over the weekend and there is good confidence that the new snow is bonding well with old snow. Previously observed widespread surface hoar and facets were likely destroyed by rain and wind in most places, though this is an area of uncertainty. Be especially cautious if you find surviving surface hoar buried by new snow and experience cracking and collapsing. The danger and above problem represent a specific area within the zone, but you could trigger a small wind slab elsewhere. Identify areas of concern before you step out onto steeper terrain. 

New and unconsolidated snow or snow that is still moist from rainfall over the weekend will be easily influenced by sunny conditions on Monday. Sun and rain crusts at lower elevations, like what forecasters found over the weekend in the Mission Ridge and Salmon La Sac areas will have to break down first before the snowpack begins to lose strength. Keep an eye out for rollerballs and chunks of snow falling out of trees on south facing aspects, indicating the surface of the snowpack is warming and weakening. 

With early season conditions, watch out for barely covered hazards like stumps and downed logs. Especially at lower elevations, an early-season snowpack still exists or is non-existent altogether. Give yourself time to navigate a variable snowpack, no matter your elevation.

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