Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A spring storm will create dangerous avalanche conditions above the snow line, especially earlier in the day. However, once the sun pokes out - watch out. Steer around steep slopes once you notice signs of warming, such as rollerballs cascading downhill or sticky, gloppy snow under your feet or machine. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will shed as the day heats up and the sun pokes out. It likely won’t take much sun or warming for the new snow layer to react. These wet loose avalanches will likely entrain the new snow, but could gouge deeper and grow larger than you may expect. Initially, you’ll likely see obvious signs of warming along solar aspects and adjacent to cliff bands. As the day heats up, avalanches could become problematic on steep, shaded slopes at middle elevations as well. Consider moving to shadier or less steep terrain once you notice rollerballs shedding and gloppy sticky surfaces. 

    (2/10/2024)

    You could encounter similar wet avalanches on Tuesday. 

    Photo: Brad C

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This won’t be a big storm for the East South, although it should bring enough new snow and certainly wind to produce a fresh batch of wind slabs across higher exposed terrain. You’ll likely encounter the most reactive and dangerous conditions in the morning as the storm starts tapering. 

    Look for these slabs to be thicker and more widespread as you gain elevation. Strong west winds will productively drift new snow into leeward features and along ridgelines. Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and textured rippled surfaces to help you identify wind-loaded features. 

    Steer around steep slopes if you notice active wind loading, shooting cracks, or the new snow bonding poorly to the underlying surface. Sheltered terrain with lower slope angles will offer safer riding opportunities.

    (3/13/2024)

    Visual  clues help highlight where wind slabs may occur.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

As usual, this storm will bring higher storm totals to areas closer to the Cascade crest. You’ll generally encounter more dangerous conditions in the western reaches of the zone, such as areas closer to Chinook or White Pass. Areas further east will only receive small amounts of new precipitation. Snow lines will hover around 5000 ft, so look for more dynamic avalanche conditions as you gain elevation. 

Spring storms tend to be a challenge for avalanche forecasting. Strong storms can give way to sun and microwave-like warming in a matter of minutes - and then turn back to snow showers by the afternoon. Dry snow avalanche problems can quickly turn into wet snow avalanche problems, or you might see both simultaneously on slopes with different aspects. So, as a backcountry traveler, be on your game as conditions change and adjust your travel plan based on your personal observations. 

Lower elevations are melting out quickly this year. Be prepared for more challenging approaches, firm snow, and low coverage extending into middle elevations. Open creeks, exposed rocks, and slide-for-life conditions can easily exacerbate the consequence of a small avalanche. 

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