Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A warm and windy storm will impact the region on Wednesday night. Above treeline, you may be able to trigger small avalanches in areas where the wind has deposited drifts of snow. At lower elevations, avalanches are unlikely, but you may find isolated areas of wet, unstable snow on very steep slopes. Use caution if traveling in high consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At the highest elevations, snow and moderate to strong winds may build small wind slabs on lee aspects. While these avalanches would likely be small, they may be formed on slick crusts and be easy to trigger. Even small avalanches can have high consequences in very steep and rugged terrain. If you brave the stormy weather and access these higher elevations, use caution near ridgelines and on wind-exposed slopes in alpine terrain. If you observe shooting cracks or the snow feels hollow or pillow-like, you should stick to lower angle slopes. You can also use your probe or ski pole to feel for stiff wind deposited snow.

    (12/16/2021)

    Small cornices and drift formations on a ridge top in the Salmon la Sac.

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Loose Wet

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

    On Wednesday night, temperatures finally dropped below freezing for many upper elevation weather stations in the East Central Zone. At lower elevations, especially in the eastern part of the zone, inversion conditions have kept temperatures below freezing, and thick breakable crusts exist on the snow surface. Another warm storm is forecasted to impact the region Wednesday night, with rain possible to 6500ft. This storm may also mix out the colder inversion temperatures by mid-morning on Thursday. While we expect the snowpack to be either well adjusted to warm temperatures or locked down under thick crusts, this storm may increase the possibility of wet loose avalanches in isolated areas of very steep terrain. Although unlikely, these avalanches might be large if surface crusts break down. Be cautious of steep rock slabs still holding snow in overhead terrain. If you are sinking past your calves in unconsolidated wet snow, you may want to stick to less consequential terrain.

    (1/18/2022)

    Example of very steep terrain where wet loose avalanches might occur with warm temperatures and rain. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

This storm probably won't significantly improve the current conditions, and travel conditions will likely remain challenging. It may be just enough to freshen surfaces at higher elevations. But you can still expect to find a variety of surfaces conditions including, crusts, dust on crust, wet unconsolidated snow, and large piles of avalanche debris to navigate. New snow may cover up surface hoar that has been observed sitting on the crust on shaded slopes.

 

Regions covered