Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

You should avoid traveling in and around any avalanche terrain as a powerful winter storm will create very dangerous avalanche conditions. A widespread natural avalanche cycle will occur, and avalanches may happen in unusual locations. This includes lowland slopes and roofs of buildings.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Avoid all avalanche terrain. Stay well out from under steep slopes and don't linger near runout zones. Large and deadly avalanches could come from overhead terrain. Some could run into to lower elevation bands from above treeline. Ongoing snowfall and strong winds will continue a widespread avalanche cycle.  There is potential for these avalanches to run on deeper crusts and weak layers deeply buried in the snowpack. In areas of the Wenatchee Mountains and the eastern foothills, avalanches may run to the ground. 

    (12/19/2021)

    An example of a very large wind slab avalanche from earlier this season. Above treeline, NW, Chiwaukum range

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wet avalanches will run below 3,500ft and could be large. Expect heavy avalanches to come off of roofs and steep lowland slopes. Avalanches could occur in places that are not normally a concern like sledding hills and steep roadcuts near town. Use caution around any large roofs and even small slopes holding snow. Make sure children and pets stay out from under areas of concern.

    (4/9/2021) An example of wet avalanches from last season. Photo: Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

There is limited access in the zone with mountain passes is closed. Avalanche workers at Mission Ridge reported natural cornice falls and numerous triggered avalanches including one that was 3 feet deep and 65 feet wide. On Thursday, WSDOT forecasters reported multiple avalanches, at least D3 in size, hitting the closed highway west of Stevens Pass. In a portion of Tumwater Canyon, they reported over 30 debris piles on the highway up to 15 feet deep. We've received a report of an avalanche damaging a house south of Entiat and multiple reports of dangerous roof avalanches in the Wenatchee Valley. An observer in the Sage Hills, near Wenatchee, reported cracking and widespread whumphing collapses.

Regions covered