Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It's becoming more difficult for you to trigger surprising avalanches that break 2-4 ft deep, but unfortunately, the consequence remains the same. So carefully choose your travel routes to avoid large, steep, open slopes and fresh wind-loaded pockets. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    You can trigger large avalanches on various weak layers that now sit 2-4 ft below the snow surface. This structure is widespread throughout the zone and in many parts of the region. A layer of buried surface hoar from January 2 sits an inch or two above a crust from December 30. These avalanches can act in surprising ways, and be triggered from adjacent slopes. You may become less likely to trigger these avalanches during calm periods like this - but unfortunately, the consequence stays the same. Since these avalanches can really pack a punch, you’ll want to increase your margins by seeking out more sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees at middle and upper elevations. 

    (1/10/2024)

    Backcountry travelers near Lake Wenatchee remotely triggered this avalanche from a low angle adjacent slope. This avalanche ran on weak, facted snow over the Solstice Crust.

    Photo: Pat Riffie

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are becoming more difficult to trigger as time moves on. However, we're expecting a bump in east winds, which may redistribute snow onto uncommon aspects. This loading pattern will often surprise people since slabs will build on west aspects or across terrain features. So don't let your guard down as you change aspects in the coming days. 

    The consequence of triggering a wind slab in the wrong spot could be dire if it steps down into weak snow 2-4 ft below the snow surface. You'll want to carefully assess and look for signs of recent loading as you travel. You can use visual clues like blowing snow or sharp drifts to help you identify problematic slopes. These wind slabs will often lurk beneath cornices, under rock and cliff bands, and on rollovers in exposed areas. Shooting cracks or audible whumphs are obvious signs that you found an unstable slab. The best strategy will be to seek out more sheltered slopes and avoid steep, open areas that harbor a weak snowpack. 

    (3/4/2023)

    Use visual clues such as fresh cornices to help you identify wind loaded slopes. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Despite the cold temperatures on Sunday, observers in the neighboring zones still reported a few notable observations. Observers in the east central near Blewett Pass reported whumphing collapses and a fresh batch of surface hoar in sheltered areas - which will be worth tracking with more snow in the forecast. In the west-south near Crystal Mountain and White Pass, there have been numerous reports of avalanches in the past days failing on weak layers that are now buried under 2-4 ft of snow. We have minimal avalanche observations from the east-south, but we know the structure exists.

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

Regions covered