Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A powerful winter storm that favors the eastern slopes of the Cascades will bring heavy snow and gusty winds on Monday. You could trigger large avalanches in the new snow, particularly in the Mission Ridge, Icicle Canyon, and Chelan Mountains. Choose conservative terrain and avoid steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Significant snow accumulations are likely overnight and Monday from a significant storm that will favor the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The Wenatchee and Chelan Mountains may pick up over a foot of new snow, with lighter accumulations near the crest. Newly formed storm slabs may be widespread and easy to trigger. Look for signs of instability such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapsing. You can use quick hand pits and small test slopes to identify storm interfaces and observe how the new snow reacts. Observations from the zone are limited, but a report from the Enchantments indicated widely variable surfaces that will make it possible for adjacent slopes to have different avalanche conditions. It will be best to choose low-angle slopes and avoid steep terrain features while this storm runs its course. 

    Shifting and gusty winds will likely blow this new snow around, but it will be hard to pin down one aspect where wind loading is most likely. Therefore, use visual clues to identify areas where wind slabs are forming. Look for actively blowing snow, textured surfaces, or drifts around rocks and trees.

    Rough surfaces and a thin snowpack limit avalanche potential at lower elevations throughout the zone. Still, the snow has been piling up for the last few days, and you may be able to trigger small avalanches in the new snow, even at lower elevations. Use caution in terrain where a small avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or other obstacles. 

    (12/21/2021)

    Shooting cracks like this one in the new snow are a red flag sign of instability. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Access into the East Central is challenging, and the few inches of snow that dusted the valley bottoms near Leavenworth and Roslyn on Sunday didn't make it easier. However, I ventured into the Icicle to see if I could get into upper elevations or get a peek into the Stuart Range. I experienced slippery trail conditions and moody weather that shifted from blue skies to moderately heavy snowfall in very short periods of time. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability. Any rapidly changing conditions such as the direct sun on dry snow, recent avalanches, or active wind loading are signs of changing snowpack conditions that may increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. The dynamic spring weather and increased diurnal temperature fluctuations create more uncertainty about what avalanche problems you may encounter during the day. You may see some dry loose avalanches or wet loose avalanches in the afternoon, especially in the northern portion of the zone where cloud breaks are possible. If you observe weather or snowpack conditions you did not anticipate, it may be best to simplify your terrain selection and choose lower angle slopes.

Regions covered