Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong winds will drift a few inches of new snow into fresh wind slabs near and above treeline. Look for thicker, freshly drifted slabs as you gain elevation. Check for signs of instability such as shooting cracks, and avoid drifted features on steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A few inches of new snow and fresh westerly winds will create shallow slabs near and above treeline in exposed locations. These may be thicker and wider the higher you go. Look for snow surface texture that indicates recent slab development, such as rippled and wavy surfaces. Check for signs that you could trigger an avalanche such as shooting cracks and feeling for punchy snow or hollow-sounding drifts. Steer around the edge of cross-loaded gullies, unsupported roll-overs, and other drifted features on steep slopes. Observers reported patchy crops of surface hoar on the 8th. Fresh slabs may be more reactive if they form over the top of these weak crystals. 

    Cornices may be large from the recent storms. Give them a wide berth and make sure to keep your distance by staying off of, and out from underneath these overhead hazards.  

    Textured snow surfaces and blowing snow are great clues that wind slabs may exist on the slope below.

Avalanche Discussion

Time and fairly quiet weather have helped the snowpack to settle over the weekend, and people stepped out safely into bigger terrain. Expect avalanche conditions to begin ramping up again on Monday. By Tuesday, we may be looking at High danger with a whopping dump of snow, strong winds, and temperature fluctuations.

Near Washington Pass, the snowpack is deep, strong and avalanche concerns are limited to recent snow and wind events. However, in the eastern part of the zone the snowpack is more shallow. Here, persistent weak layers may be found near the ground. Last week, an observer near Aspen Lake reported an avalanche on old, weak layers beneath the recent storm snow, whumping collapses, and propagating test results. In areas like the Winthrop foothills, the lower Twisp River, the Lost River drainages, and areas east of Mazama the snowpack may be shallow and weak. If you're venturing into these eastern mountains, expect a weaker more dangerous snowpack. Use extra caution near avalanche terrain, and be prepared to make your own snowpack assessments in these locations.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources. Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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