Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Look for an inch or three of new snow in the higher reaches of the zone on Saturday.  If you find instability, it's likely to be a small wind drifted pocket above 6,000ft. It's still thin especially down low, so travel cautiously and consider using roads and summer trails for access. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A couple inches of new snow fell in the western edge of the zone. For the most part, this won't be enough to create a consistent danger on most slopes. However, the strong winds and new snow may have created some small, scattered wind slabs on lee slopes at higher elevations.

    Look for visual clues to wind slabs such as sharp wind drifts and textured snow surfaces. Check to see how drifted snow reacts by using small test slopes, or doing quick hand pits. If you find signs of instability like shooting cracks, or sensitive wind drifts then steer away from very steep, large or extreme terrain where a slide or fall would have increased consequences.

    Example of a small wind slab near Ahtanum meadows.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

A quick hitting storm passed through on Friday dropping anywhere from 1-4" of new snow in the zone. The eastern slopes were shadowed compared to the Cascade Crest, so expect to find more snow in the higher and western reaches of the zone. The NW corner accessed from Stampede Pass may even hold up to 4" of new snow in places due to spillover from a Puget Sound Convergence Zone sitting on and just south of I-90 on Friday evening. 

Saturday should turn into a nice day in the mountains. If you make it up to higher elevation, wind affected slopes, just keep in mind that if you are going to find an avalanche hazard, this is where it would be. For the most part you'll only find an inch or two of new snow in the zone. The colder temperatures should at least help to freeze the snowpack at mid and low relevations.

Over the past week, temperatures have been warm and the snowpack has receded. On south facing slopes at mid and lower elevations, you may find bare ground. On others, theres plenty of brush to contend with. Rocks and boulders may still be exposed, so consider staying on or near summer trails and roads as you gain access to more consistent snow cover at higher elevations.

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