Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

7:15a Update. Avalanche Warning for high precipitation rates and warming temperatures. Avalanches may impact lowland foothill near towns, especially south of Blewett Pass. Rain and heavy snowfall will create very dangerous avalanche conditions, especially south of the Wenatchee Mountains. Saturday will be a good day to avoid avalanche terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    The best way to stay safe is to stay well away from and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Rain and heavy snow will fall on a weak snowpack, especially south and west of the Wenatchee Mountains. Natural avalanches could be large and destructive. They may come from overhead in terrain that's out of view. Weather and travel conditions will make for a challenging and miserable day. 

    The upper snowpack is very light and dry and will quickly become unstable with rain. In the eastern foothills, avalanches could run to the ground. Any significant rain reaching the eastern foothills could create dangerous avalanche conditions near towns and around roads and roofs. If roofs begin to release snow, use extra caution around the exterior of buildings. Roof avalanches can be fatal. 

    (12/20/2022) A  recent storm slab avalanche failed on the Dec 18th interface in Hatchery Creek.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Even where precipiation stays frozen, heavy snow will stres existing weak layers. Persistent slab avalanches can propagate farther than you anticipate, and you could trigger them from lower angle slopes adjacent to steep terrain. Hearing loud whumping collapses is a sign that these layers have the potential to produce an avalanche. It will be best to avoid traveling on steep terrain until these weak, sugary snow layers adjust to the new load. 

    Observations came in over the past two days of touchy avalanche conditions, with collapses and avalanches failing on weak snow on the 12/18 and 12/8 interfaces. This storm will stress these older interfaces and more deeply buried weak layers. Avalanches starting in the new snow could step down to these persistent weak layers. Large, weak faceted crystals from mid-Novemeber 11/22) are still lurking near the base of the snowpack in many locations. Especially in the eastern part of the zone there is a possibility that large avalanches could run to the ground.

    (12/21/2022)

    Intentionally skier triggered slide on Wednesday in Icicle Creek that failed on weak faceted snow at the 12/18 interface. 

    Photo: Nate Hough-Snee

Regions covered