Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Rain on dry, cold snow will increase the chance of seeing wet snow avalanches on Saturday. Don't linger on or under steep slopes where you see fresh rollerballs, very small avalanches, or where the snow is simply wet and mushy.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The East South forecast zone will see the least precipitation with Saturday’s storm compared to other parts of the Cascades. However, while the amount of precipitation might be low, the snow level will start the day quite high. Expect to see rain falling all the way up to ridgeline and mountaintop terrain. Dry snow and rain generally don’t play nice. Pinwheels, rollerballs, and tiny avalanches are signs you could start seeing larger ones. 

    If you see more than a few, small avalanches or experience heavy rainfall, assume the avalanche danger is higher than stated and steer towards lower-angle, less exposed terrain. You may also find more avalanche activity as you get closer to the Cascade Crest where the snowpack is deeper and rain could be more plentiful.

    Fresh, wet, and chunky balls of snow are signs that you could see wet snow avalanches on steep slopes.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

The extended high pressure of the past week left its mark across East South. Backcountry travelers and avalanche professionals reported a crust on southerly aspects while shady slopes have continued to hold good riding conditions. Expect to find shallow snowpack conditions at mid and lower elevations. Once you climb 5000’ you’ll find a deeper and more layered snowpack, especially near Bumping Lake and SR 410.

There is one benefit of high snow levels and rainfall. The weak facets and surface hoar observed at the snow surface will melt down before they have a chance to get buried by snow and become a future weak layer. An NWAC forecaster highlighted these weak snow grains in this observation from White Pass (Obs here). 

Regions covered