Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There may be lingering pockets of wind drifted snow at higher elevations where you could trigger an avalanche. If you are traveling at mid and upper elevations, avoid steep terrain where you see these stiff pillow-like snow drifts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds drifted snow around during the recent storm, and lingering wind slabs likely exist near ridges and in exposed terrain at mid elevations. The most likely place to trigger one of these wind slabs would be steep rocky terrain on exposed ridgelines. Look for textured surfaces and cornice formations to point towards wind loaded terrain. Wind slabs often feel stiff and hollow, and you can use your probe or ski pole to identify where these slabs may exist. Where you find evidence of wind slabs, steer around steep terrain. Another option is to approach ridgelines from windward slopes that are scoured down to the recent Christmas Crust, although you should expect slippery travel conditions on these scoured slopes. If you see cracks shooting out from your skis, this is a sign that you can trigger these wind slabs and should travel on lower angle terrain. 

    (12/21/2022)

    Example of shooting cracks through new snow on a sensitive new storm interface. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

We may see some sunny skies on Saturday, along with warming temperatures. This combination makes small wet loose avalanches possible at lower elevations on sunny slopes. Look for signs of rollerballs or wet, heavy snow to indicate that wet loose avalanches are possible.

On Thursday, an NWAC forecaster got out near the northwestern border of the East South zone. The snowpack below 5000ft has certainly taken a beating from the warm, wet weather over the last week. Creeks have blown out, holes have opened up, and the Christmas crust is beginning to break down within the thin saturated snowpack. This new snow will hopefully be a welcome return to winter, but it may also cover up recently exposed obstacles, so travel cautiously at these lower elevations. 

If you journey out to help ring in the new year, help us out by sending in an observation!

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