Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in areas where several inches of  wet, gloppy snow exists over a crust. Rollerballs and pinwheels are a sign that surfaces are becoming wet and weak. Be prepared for firm travel and low coverage across the zone. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Slight warming will increase the likelihood of small wet avalanches in areas that have several inches of snow over the stout early April crust. Lots of low-elevation terrain is melted out, but you could still see wet avalanches or snow shedding from cliffs anywhere there is sufficient coverage and newer snow. 

    Limit your travel in steep terrain if you notice rollerballs shedding, wet, sloppy snow under your feet or small wet loose avalanches initiating.  

    (4/6/2024) Photo: Jon Sullivan

    While we have limited observation from the East South, we recieved numerous observations of wet loose avalanches in neighboring zones. 

Avalanche Discussion

This incoming system won’t bring much in the form of precipitation during the daylight hours on Monday. Instead, you’ll likely just observe subtle warming, clouds, and potentially a few sunbreaks. 

Despite the lack of new snow,above the snow line you may notice some blowing snow which means there could be a few isolated wind slabs at upper elevations. While these slabs will remain small and the size of a kitchen table,  they could still be consequential in steep terrain, especially with the current slick surfaces. 

Lower elevations and mid-elevation S and W aspects have limited snow coverage. You may even find bare ground near sno-park elevations in the Ahtanum area. Expect shallow coverage, open creeks, and other low tide hazards. 

Let us know what you see as you travel in the mountains by submitting a public observation here. 

Regions covered