Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Sunshine and warm temperatures will cause additional wet avalanches Saturday, especially in the afternoon. As the snowpack transitions with the ongoing spring thaw, time your day early and steer away from steep slopes where you find wet and slushy snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    A cool night should allow the snowpack to freeze and gain strength. You can expect variable snow surfaces with melt-freeze crusts in the morning. With strong sunshine and high temperatures in the 40s, snow surfaces will quickly thaw and become wet on all aspects by mid-day. Loose wet activity has been ongoing since Thursday, with widespread rollerballs and small avalanches on most sun-exposed slopes in adjacent zones. These active conditions look to continue through the weekend, and there is some uncertainty as to how the snowpack will respond. If you see wet slides gouging into old snow layers or widespread activity above treeline, call it a day and head home early. In addition to wet avalanches, expect snow to simply fall down and shed off trees, rocks, and cliffs. When you encounter wet, punchy snow, choose lower angle terrain or move to shady slopes to reduce your risk. 

    Example: Human triggered loose wet avalanches on a steep sunny slope.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

After weeks of wintery weather with ongoing snowfall, spring has finally returned. The mountains are seeing higher temperatures and more sunshine each day, and the snowpack is going through a significant transition. The focus is on wet snow issues for the weekend, but you may still encounter isolated wind slabs high in the alpine. Cornices may also fall as it heats up each day, so give these features a wide berth both from above and below.

Access into areas of the East South with a consistent snowpack has become challenging, and therefore direct observations from the zone are limited. However, recent snow has been piling up on more recent melt-freeze crusts from 4/18, and the 4/8 Crust is now 2-4 feet deep. Make snowpack observations as you travel and if you find conditions you did not anticipate, make conservative terrain choices. Some southern slopes that were recently snow-free up to 5700ft may now have over a foot of snow. Use extra caution in these lower elevations where obstacles may be lurking just under the new snow, and creek holes may be drifted over or hidden.

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