Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could trigger small wet loose avalanches on lower elevation, steep slopes that receive direct sun. Cooler temperatures and wind should limit the avalanche danger above treeline. If you begin to sink into snow surfaces deeper than your boot with wet and punchy snow, or if you notice fresh avalanche activity then it's time to move away from steeper or more consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As the daytime warms up and the sun gets stronger, look for indicators of wet activity such as moist surface snow, rollerballs, and recent fan-shaped avalanches. Once you notice these, or if you begin to sink into wet snow deeper than your boot top, its time move off of steep slopes. You may be more likely to run into wet avalanches on steep east aspects, along with south to west-facing slopes later in the day. The potential size of loose wet slides will increase where you find more recent snow, especially further west in the zone. While loose avalanches are predictable, they may grow larger and could be dangerous in consequential terrain and near terrain traps. 

    You may be less likely to trigger wet loose avalanches above treeline with the colder temperatures and wind. However, be sure to give cornices plenty of room when traveling on ridges and stay out from underneath them. 

    (3/31/2021) A wet loose avalanche (D1.5) off northeast facing terrain in adjacent East Central zone.

Avalanche Discussion

North aspects still hold dry snow, but the sun has formed crusts of various thicknesses on all other slopes. Cooler temperatures overnight into Friday should allow a decent refreeze of these crusts. Sunshine may begin to melt surfaces once again, as the daytime warms up. Temperatures were very warm on Wednesday and Thursday, and the sun was out. The last storm finished up on Monday, and left around a foot of new snow at Washington Pass. 

Since the beginning of March, the region has undergone a slow warming trend. Observers have reported sporadic cornice fall. The lower snowpack is generally well settled in the zone.

Regions covered