Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is Low, but watch for mushy, unstable snow on south-facing slopes with daytime warming. Here you could initiate loose wet avalanches in very steep terrain where the snowpack is shallow or near rocks. Expect a variety of surface conditions ranging from sun softened snow, to boilerplate wind stiffened snow, to slippery ice crusts. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Outside of steep, sun warmed slopes, avalanches are unlikely. With prolonged above-freezing temperatures continuing in the mountains though, you may find mushy, wet snow where you could trigger wet loose avalanches. Observe the thickness or supportability of the surface crust as the day progresses. If you're sinking past your ankle, or the sled bogs down in deep wet snow, you can trigger a wet loose avalanche on steep slopes. Use caution around terrain where the snowpack is shallow, or with exposed rocks in the warm sun.

    If you find cold, hollow wind stiffened snow (possible at very high elevations and shaded aspects) check to see how it's bonded to layers below. In high, alpine terrain watch for cornices, which could fracture off and become a large hazard tumbling down the slopes. In adjacent zones, large glide avalanches have released as recently as Saturday night (Snoqualmie). If you're traveling into areas and observe glide cracks, the safest practice is to avoid the potential runout zone for these difficult to predict hazards.

    (1/24/2022)

    Old, wide slab avalanche with more recent small loose wet slides. Big Slide Creek in upper Icicle Creek drainage.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Observers have been finding a range of conditions recently. Good corn skiing was reported on Southeast aspects above Lake Wenatchee, boilerplate wind stiffened snow found on high peaks of the upper Chiwawa River, and slide for life conditions found on low angle slopes with a thick ice crust in low elevations of the Icicle Creek drainage. Observers also reported breakable crust with softer snow beneath while snowmobiling near Sugarloaf Peak. 4-6" of soft snow over a crust was found on shaded and sheltered slopes in the Entiat Range. You're likely to face challenging travel conditions with these variable snow surfaces, large piles of avalanche debris, and opening creeks. Colder temperatures near valley bottoms have led to low-level valley fog much of the time these past few days, but up above the mountains have mostly been in the sun with warmer temperatures.

Warmer temperatures are expected for the southern part of the zone from around Blewett Pass and south on Tuesday. Temperatures should be a notch cooler overall, and long nights with mostly clear skies should lead to a decent re-freeze in many areas. The low sun angle has been limiting the strength and duration of the sun, but slopes that receive direct sun are typically softening up. The snowpack has been through a lot over the past few weeks; Two previous wet avalanche cycles and a prolonged warm spell have transitioned the snowpack into one that resembles a spring melt-freeze cycle. 

Regions covered