Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

We're locked into a cold and snowy pattern for the time being. Dangerous conditions could be found at the highest elevations, where thicker slabs from Sunday's wind may remain easily triggered. Loose dry avalanches could run fast and far on steep slopes. Look for signs of instabilty like recent avalanches or whumphing collapses, and choose terrain with a conservative mindset. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avalanches could be more cohesive at upper elevation where wind has created thicker slabs. Westerly winds blew on the 25th and 26th and created slabs near ridgelines and on exposed features. With some new snow on Monday, these slabs may get buried and obscured so they could be difficult to identify. On Monday the easterly winds will blow and could create shallow drifts on cross-loaded features and gullies. Steer around large and obviously wind-loaded terrain near ridgelines and cliffs, especially if you find shooting cracks, whumphing collapses, or strong over weak structure. 

    Carefully assess the bond at recent interfaces, and how it changes as you travel. Use small test slopes and quick, informal tests to see how the snow reacts.

    (2/23/2023)

    Cracks break through wind-drifted slabs on a southeast aspect near treeline near Whistler peak.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Dry

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

    You can trigger dry loose avalanches on very steep slopes and in wind-sheltered terrain. They could dig down into snow and firm wind stiffened surfaces from earlier in the week. If you see fast-running point releases, use caution near terrain traps like rocks, gullies, and cliffs.  These avalanches could be dangerous in larger and consequential terrain.

    (3/24/2021) An example of loose avalanches and overhung cornices in the Cutthroat drainage from a previous season. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday's front brought 5-8" to the area with less than half an inch of water equivalent. Southwesterly winds were sustained and strong at Washington Pass, only easing by mid morning on Sunday. On Saturday, observers triggered a small wind slab avalanche that entrained loose snow on a northeast aspect around 8,000 feet of Kangaroo Ridge. On Friday, a group triggered a nearby large cornice fall after they felt a collapse while standing on a ridge near Tower Mountain. On Thursday, observers triggered a small wind slab avalanche in the Swamp Creek drainage at 7,500ft, northeast aspect. 

Following an arctic front last week, observers report 1.5-2 feet of snow above the Feb 12th crust near and above treeline near Washington Pass. On some slopes, the wind scoured off all recent snow and the crust was on the surface prior to Saturday. It's present up to at least 7000ft and is shallower at lower elevations and further east. 

Other avalanches occurred earlier in the week with the blustery storm. Observers near Harts Pass reported a large (size D2) avalanche that likely occurred on Tuesday due to a natural cornice fall on N, 7,100ft. On Monday, a large natural slab avalanche released below Blue Lake. Prior to this week's storm, The last significant avalanche cycle occurred on Feb 7th. 

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