Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Temperatures will notch up on Saturday, making wet avalanches more likely. You could trigger avalanches in wet snow, but cornice falls and slabs of snow shedding off rocks or cliffs above you might be more likely. Reduce your exposure to overhead hazards and move to lower-angle slopes if you are sinking deeply into wet snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    A clear night may help surfaces freeze overnight, but Saturday's temperatures will climb into the mid-50F's in the mountains. With little recent snow, these avalanches will most likely involve old snow shedding from steep rocky terrain and entraining additional snow as they move downhill. However, as the prolonged warm temperatures weaken the snow deeper into the snowpack, you could also trigger wet loose avalanches. While these avalanches are typically predictable, they can still grab your feet or slide from above, catching you off guard. 

    Another common spring hazard is cornice falls. These large, heavy, overhanging chunks of snow are a hazard on their own, but they could also start a wet loose avalanche on the slopes below. Stay aware of these overhead hazards and if you begin to sink into wet snow deeper than your calf, it might be time to move to lower angle or shadier slopes. 

    (3/31/2021) 

    An example of a wet loose avalanche that started from a small cornice fall.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday will bring very warm temperatures, and while the day will start sunny, you can expect increasing clouds in the afternoon. 

Springtime mountain travel requires carefully monitoring snow surface conditions and planning routes that are more likely to put you on shady slopes in the late afternoon. While it can be a straightforward problem to understand and manage, conditions can change rapidly and catch you in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Ensure you have alternate route plans or safe exits if you plan to be out late into the afternoon. 

Lower elevations and southerly aspects are melting out quickly this year. Be prepared for more challenging approaches, firm snow, and low coverage extending into middle elevations. Open creeks, exposed rocks, and slide-for-life conditions can easily exacerbate the consequence of a small avalanche. There are still plenty of options for winter recreation at upper elevations; you just have to get there!

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