Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

New snow and strong winds may create reactive pockets of wind drifted snow. Use visual clues such as blowing snow or looking for pillow-like slabs at the surface to help you identify slopes of concern. You can reduce your exposure to this problem by traveling on more sheltered slopes out of the wind zone. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and wind will combine to create a fresh batch of shallow wind slabs at mid and upper elevations. You may find these slabs to be a bit larger in areas that received more recent snow such as areas closer to White or Chinook Pass. Some of these slabs may be easily triggered since they will be forming on a slick crust or on softer, faceted snow on upper elevation northerlies. 

    You’ll typically find these pillow-like slabs forming on the downwind side of ridges, below cornices, and under rock and cliff bands.  Fortunately, this is an easy avalanche problem to navigate around. You can use visual clues such as blowing snow or looking for dunes at the snow surface to help you identify slopes of concern. Shooting cracks under your machine/feet are direct signs telling you that you found an unstable slab of drifted snow. 

    Look for wind textured surfaces, rounded pillows, or blowing snow to help you identify wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The East South is back in a wintery pattern. On Friday, you’ll likely see some new snow and plenty of wind. The new snow will be falling on a stout crust on most aspects and possibly some soft, faceted snow on upper elevation northerlies. You’ll likely continue to find rough and firm travel at lower elevations. 

NWAC forecaster Katie Warren traveled in the Ahtanum Meadows area on Tuesday. She found a widespread thin crust that extends to ridgeline, a shrinking snowpack at lower elevations, and found the valentines day interface gaining strength. 

Spring-like conditions exist below 4500 ft. Be prepared to cool your snow machine frequently given anticipated freeze-thaw conditions at these elevations. You might be able to trigger a small wet loose avalanche on sunny slopes at these elevations once the snow surface softens.

If you get out into the mountains of the East South, let us know what you see by submitting an observation!

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