Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

With another day of prolonged warming for Tuesday, wet avalanches, cornice falls, and chunks of snow sliding off steep rocky terrain will still be a problem. Manage your terrain selection by choosing lower-angle slopes if you find unconsolidated wet snow, and pay attention to overhead hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Increasing cloud cover will do little to limit wet loose avalanche activity on Tuesday. The high clouds could create a greenhouse effect and even snow on high-elevation northern aspects could start to warm up. Watch for rollerballs, snow shedding off rocks and cliffs, and wet snow surfaces as the first indication of wet avalanches. Stick to lower-angle terrain if you're sinking deeply into heavy, wet snow, and don't linger beneath steep, unsupported rocks or cliffs still holding snow. 

    Large cornices exist across many ridgelines and alpine features across the zone. They often fail much farther back than expected. During these warm sunny periods, they can become easier to trigger and may fail naturally. Give these some space, especially with the warming trend.

    (1/28/2024)  Public Observation

    You could see similar wet avalanches on Monday. 

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: NWAC is saddened to report an avalanche fatality as a result of a cornice fall on Mount St. Helens. On Friday, March 29, 2024, a snowboarder summited the peak. While standing near the top, he triggered a cornice and fell into the crater triggering a large slab avalanche on the slope below. NWAC is working with Skamania Co Sheriff’s office and SAR to compile a report. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community.

Discussion:

While the weather for Tuesday will begin to transition back to a more active period, we'll still have freezing levels over 10,000ft and only some high clouds building throughout the day. During these spring-like warmups, you could see shed-style avalanches and heavy chunks of snow falling off various places in our mountains. Stay aware of your surroundings and be prepared to back off of objectives if snowpack conditions deteriorate. A mild storm will bring temperatures crashing back down on Wednesday, but unfortunately, not much snow will make it to the eastern Cascades. 

Lower elevations have less snow than average. You may even find bare ground near sno-park elevations in the Ahtanum area. Expect shallow coverage, open creeks, and punchy wet snow. In areas where adequate snow coverage exists, wet avalanches could occur.

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here.

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