Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A small storm may bring a few inches of new snow with some occasionally moderate winds. This is enough to form shallow wind slabs at upper elevations, particularly in the eastern portion of the zone. Steer around these fresh, textured drifts and use caution in very steep terrain where a small avalanche could result in higher consequences.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Some light new snow and moderate winds may just tip the scales enough for shallow wind slabs to form at upper elevations. These will likely be small and isolated to lee slopes below ridgelines. Textured surfaces, actively blowing snow, and drifts around rocks and trees can help you identify wind-affected terrain. Steer around these fresh drifts where you find them on steep slopes, and be cautious in high-consequence terrain where a small slide could push over cliffs or bury you in confined gullies. Weak snow surfaces and surface hoar formed over the last couple of clear, cold nights, and new snow may bond poorly with the old snow surfaces. Use small test slopes and quick hand pits to check the recent interface and observe how easily snow slides. If you see shooting cracks or the new snow slides easily off the old surface, you're more likely to trigger an avalanche.This isn't a very potent storm, and we don't expect much snow accumulation, but with easterly wind directions and storm tracks, there is always some uncertainty. So if you find more than 4-6 inches of fresh snow, be prepared to dial back your objectives for the day. 

    (2/28/2023) Steep slopes below ridges with pillowed-looking snow may be locations where you could trigger a small wind slab, like in this example.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Lower elevations are likely to see rain instead of snow out of this storm, so expect wet loose avalanches to be possible as dry snow on northerly aspects becomes soggy. Sunny skies and warm temperatures over the weekend did a number on the snowpack, forming thick crusts on sunny slopes and putting frozen rollerballs and wet loose avalanche debris in many places. So you may find challenging travel conditions at lower elevations, but high-elevation terrain on the north side of the compass likely still holds some cold, dry snow. 

If you get out into the mountains of the East South, let us know what you see by submitting an observation!

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