Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Early season travel hazards are your top concern while we wait for more snow.   The avalanche danger that does exist will be limited to isolated areas of wind slab at upper elevations near the Cascade crest.  In most other areas and elevations, there simply isn't enough snow.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Strong to extreme west winds over the last few days have moved fresh snow along ridgelines and peaks at higher elevations.  It's on lee slopes at upper elevations where you may encounter isolated areas of wind slabs.  These same slopes are likely to be the same places with enough snow cover for consistent travel.   Watch for shooting cracks in wind drifted snow as you gain elevation and change aspect.  You may need to steer around slopes steeper than 35 degrees in isolated areas. Before committing to a slope, specifically consider the consequences of a small avalanche if you're pushed into rocks, trees, or other early season hazards.  

Avalanche Discussion

Through Thursday evening and near the Cascade crest, 4-8 inches of new snow accumulated on top of the most recent crust above about 6000'.  Light additional snow accumulations are expected through Friday afternoon.  Lower snow depths will be found further east and at lower elevations; just a few days ago many areas were down to bare dirt.

While this weekend's storm will change conditions at higher elevations, keep early-season travel hazards front and center when you head out.  Watch for shallowly buried objects that make for challenging travel and increase the consequences of a fall or getting caught in even a small avalanche. You could easily get injured by being pushed into rocky terrain, open creeks or trees.

Welcome to the first East South forecast of the 2021-2022 winter season! For the first time in several years, we are providing a daily avalanche hazard rating for the East South zone all winter long.  Here at the Northwest Avalanche Center, we have incrementally increased our forecast staff and capacity over the last few years to better serve you with support from the backcountry community and our funding Partners. 

While we're excited about this new chapter for the East South zone we need your help in making this successful.  However and whenever you recreate in the mountains this winter, send us your observations.  Our observation platform is easy to use from your phone and it's easy to upload photos.  Observations shouldn't be technical.  We want to know what you saw regarding avalanches, weather and snowpack and where and how you traveled through the terrain.  All of our zones are very large in area and while one local forecaster can make a huge positive difference, it takes engagement from the greater community to build a robust and reliable picture of what's happening in the places you recreate.  Hope to see and hear from you this season. - The team at NWAC    

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