Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible for you to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow at upper elevations on Tuesday. Pay attention to blowing snow and wind textured surfaces to help you identify slopes of concern. You can avoid this avalanche problem by sticking to more sheltered slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It's pretty straightforward right now, if you trigger an avalanche it will likely be in a pocket of wind drifted snow in more exposed areas. You’ll find the largest and most destructive slabs at upper elevations. Recent east winds have been at work, so you may find these wind slabs lurking in some not so common locations, such as west aspects or cross-loading terrain features. So as you travel, use visual clues to help you identify slopes of concern. Look for blowing snow, fresh cornices, and pillow-like slabs at the snow surface to help you spot-out wind drifted slopes. Pump the brakes and avoid steep loaded slopes if you notice signs of unstable snow such as shooting cracks or hear snow that sounds hollow like a drum. 

     

    (3/6/2023)

    Avoid steep loaded start zones if you notice shooting cracks like this. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The East South snotel sites picked up 2-3 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, with Green Lake reporting the most. East winds have generally been light at ridgetop locations, however observations to the north at Blewett Pass indicate that west aspects are loading up more than they usually do due to upslope winds. Nothing good usually comes out of east winds, so keep your head on a swivel as you travel and try to spot-out locations where the winds have been at work. 

Clouds and cool temperatures should generally limit any wet loose avalanche activity, but its March now. So if the sun does make an appearance you may notice some moist snow forming on solar slopes. If this does occur, keep an eye out for rollerballs or pinwheels as these are precursors of wet loose avalanches. 

A generally strong snowpack exists throughout the East South, and the recent storms have been improving winter recreation opportunities significantly. However, the recent snow has piled up on various crusts. While we have not seen any avalanche activity on deeper, older snow layers, we are tracking these interfaces with the additional loading events.

Katie Warren traveled to the Ahtanum Meadows area on Tuesday. They found 7-12 inches of new snow and excellent riding conditions. Snowpack test yielded unremarkable results. However, there was some weak snow below the Valentine's Crust, now about 2 ft below the snow surface. You can check out the observation here for more details. Before the storm cycle on the 25th, Joe Dellaporta traveled into the American Ridge area near Bumping Lake and observed slick surfaces at lower elevations, dry faceting snow at upper elevations in the shade, and a thin sun crust on slopes with a southern tilt (observation).  

Regions covered