Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very strong winds and new snow have created dangerous conditions that could linger through Friday. Expect to be able to trigger large avalanches on open, exposed areas where wind has created thicker slabs. Be cautious around steep slopes even outside of wind affected terrain, as loose snow sluffs may run easily and gain momentum. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2

    Look and feel for thicker drifts, textured surfaces, and shooting cracks as you gain elevation. Wind slabs could be disguised underneath recent snow that fell without wind.  You are most likely to trigger one on steep slopes near and above treeline in exposed locations, such as the leeward sides of ridges and near rocky outcrops. Avalanches could be larger at upper elevations, where there is more snow and drifts are thick.

    Avoid suspect-looking areas and likely starting zones such as convex rolls and pillowed snow on steep slopes. Stay off of steep slopes altogether if you find evidence of instability such as shooting cracks or the snow feels hollow or punchy.

     

    (12/19/2021)

    A crown from an avalanche (size D2.5) that ran on 12/18 in storm snow. Similar wind slab avalanches could occur on  Wednesday. Above treeline, NW, Chiwaukum range

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    The new snow is getting deeper, and may run fast on steep slopes. Look for signs of sluffing such as recent fan-shaped avalanches. These are also known as point releases, because they sometimes start at a single location, but can entrain more snow as they continue downhill. These can run naturally during periods of heavy snowfall. Travel defensively near very steep slopes if the new snow is deeper than about 10" or if you find signs of instability.

    (12/23/2021)

    Loose dry avalanches ran easily on steep, wind sheltered slopes near Lake Wenatchee on Thursday.

    Photo: Nate Hough-Snee

Avalanche Discussion

The East Central picked up a wide range of new snow totals on Thursday, from 12" at Holden Village, 6" at Sasse Ridge and Lake Wenatchee, and 2" at Blewett Pass/Mission Ridge. Storm totals are in the 18"-6" range, and should continue to slowly add up. 

Wind drifting within the new snow near and above treeline was observed at a number of locations on Thursday. Outside of wind-affected areas, observers above Lake Wenatchee easily triggered long-running sluffs on steep slopes within the new snow. 

The snowpack is generally strong and gaining depth near the crest, but shallow and weaker in the Wenatchee Mountains near Mission Ridge. There may be a layer of buried surface hoar on a melt-freeze crust (from 12/21) near Lake Clara/Mission Ridge. This layer may not be very widespread, but it's something to check for with quick pits if you head out to the Blewett Pass/Mission Ridge environs. In these easternmost areas of the zone, basal facets (weaker snow) may also be found near the ground. This weaker structure may become problematic in the future with new snow and wind loading.

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