Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Generally, you're unlikely to encounter much avalanche danger on Friday. However, as the day progresses and light snow and winds develop later in the evening, you might find isolated slopes at upper elevations where you could trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow. Consider moving to wind-sheltered slopes if you identify actively drifting snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    We don't expect older wind slabs to be reactive anymore. However, Friday will bring increasing winds and light snow in the afternoon and evening, building shallow, fresh wind slabs on lee aspects. 

    To identify slopes of concern, look for actively drifting snow, textured surfaces, and pillow-like drifts below corniced ridgelines. Use small test features to check for shooting cracks, a sign that avalanches are possible. Easterly winds may build slabs in atypical locations, and we expect the likelihood of triggering avalanches to increase later in the day. If the storm impacts the area earlier than the forecast, you'll see wind slabs earlier in the day as well. We expect these avalanches to be small but could have high consequences depending on the terrain and the number of exposed obstacles beneath you. Steering around steep slopes where you identify wind-drifted snow is the best way to avoid avalanches. 

    The timing of the incoming storm is uncertain, so if you begin to experience higher snowfall rates, be prepared to move to lower-angled, sheltered slopes.

    (12/11/2024)

    Wind sculpted features along the ridge above the Teanaway Drainage in the East Central zone. Wind slabs were found on lee slopes from here.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

The east slopes of the Cascades will enjoy a minor refresh of snow this weekend, but Friday is just a teaser. The main event is forecasted for Friday night into Saturday. The southeasterly storm track should favor the east slopes, particularly the Mission Ridge and Wenatchee Mountains, and we could see 5- 8 inches of snow over the weekend. We don't anticipate this to be enough snow for widespread avalanche concerns, but the winds will be strong enough to drift the snow around, forming wind slabs over slick crusts and weak surfaces. In sheltered areas, this snow could bury and preserve weak surfaces of faceted grains and surface hoar that may plague us with avalanche problems in the future. 

NWAC Forecasters were out in the Teanaway on Wednesday and identified little signs of instability. However, the recent snow rests over small facets on the 12/7 melt-freeze crust. This crust-facet combination could be a persistent issue moving forward if we experience rapid loading events.  

There is still limited data on conditions within the zone overall, so if you get out, be prepared to make your own snowpack assessments. Digging quick hand pits as you travel is an easy way to check on recent storm interfaces. Avalanches are more likely if snow slides easily on crusts or other interfaces within the recent snow. Always watch for reg flag signs such as shooting cracks, whumping, or recent avalanches. These signs of unstable snow mean you should stick to lower-angle slopes.

Submit an observation to help NWAC forecasters reduce uncertainty. 

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