Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Increasing winds should help to build slabs on the lee sides of exposed ridges and features. Look for blowing snow and textured surfaces to help you anticipate wind-loaded slopes that you may want to avoid.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windy conditions Sunday should leave little doubt about the most dangerous features in the terrain: wind-loaded slopes. Fortunately, visual clues like blowing snow, sharp drifts, and fresh cornices can all help you anticipate where the wind is building new slabs. Look for pillow-like drifts along ridges, near the base of cliffs, and in the tops of chutes. Steer around these wind slab pockets by using slightly lower angled or less wind-affected slopes. 

    While we expect these slides to stay relatively small, increasing winds and additional snow could allow some to grow large enough to take you for a nasty ride or flush you down a couloir

    (2/18/2023) Classic signs of wind loading  Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday’s stormy weather could cause the avalanche danger to slowly increase throughout the day. This could be particularly true for areas near the Cascade Crest where a few inches of snowfall in the afternoon will only add fuel to the fire. 

Over the past few days, reports from the East North zone indicate relatively good stability. Soft snow continues to linger on shaded aspects and mid and upper elevations. Lower in the terrain and on more sun-exposed slopes, a new surface crust has been reported. Blowing snow and small wind slabs were observed Saturday near Washington Pass. 

On Friday, observers reported 2" (5cm) of new snow that adds to the  4-8"  (10-20cm) that accumulated at the beginning of the week. Fast-running sluffs (up to size D1.5) were also reported on Tatie Peak.  Leading up to the 12th, a crust was formed to about 7000 ft by the sun, warm temperatures, and then rain. This layer now sits below 4-6 in (10-15cm) of softer snow.

Regions covered