Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

In areas near the Crest, at upper elevations, you could trigger a small avalanche in wind-drifted snow. Sunday could feel stormy with very light snow, a shift in direction, and an uptick in wind speeds. Low-coverage hazards are plentiful, so take advantage of roads and summer trails to access higher elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Shallow wind slabs may linger near ridgelines at upper elevations, particularly near the Cascade Crest. Increasing winds with a shift in direction to southerly or southeasterly winds may also build fresh wind slabs on different aspects. Consider steering around steep terrain if you see actively drifting snow or long cracks that shoot away from you. You can also use visual clues like sharp wind drifts and stiffer snow surfaces to identify potentially wind loaded slopes. Locations on the western edge of the zone, favored by Friday's storm, likely have the most potential for wind slabs. In Salmon La Sac and areas closer to Stevens Pass, wind slabs might be up to 6-10 inches deep and could have formed over slick or weak snow surfaces. Further east in the zone, you are less likely to encounter wind slabs of significance due to lower recent snow totals. 

    (12/23/2023)

    New snow and wind on 12/22 built drifts and slabs up to 30cm deep at upper elevations in the nearby Stevens Pass zone.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

We may get another trickle of snow on Sunday, but the main weather event will be the wind. Expect moderate winds up to 25mph throughout the zone. Along with the light snowfall, it might feel like a storm day in the mountains, but we likely won't get enough snow to improve coverage or conditions by much. 

On Friday, NWAC forecasters found 2cm of new snow on Dirty Face Mtn. Below Friday's snow is a mix of melt freeze crusts, sometimes capped with large surface hoar on shaded or sheltered slopes. The mid-pack is mostly strong rounded grains and melt forms. A crust/weak snow sandwich in the upper snowpack may also be worth tracking as new snow adds up. 

Coverage is still thin in many places, with plenty of brush to contend with off the trails. You may find exposed boulder fields and rocks on many slopes, so consider using summer trails or roads for access. 

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