Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Wenatchee Mountains where you can trigger very large avalanches. Avoid slopes 35 degrees and steeper above treeline, especially where you find recent snow on old, weak, sugar-like snow. Watch for signs that you could trigger a large and deadly avalanche such as whumphing collapses, cracks shooting through the snow, and other recent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    You can trigger very large and destructive avalanches in the Wenatchee Mountains and anywhere with five feet or less of snow on the ground. You may even be able to trigger these avalanches from far away. Persistent slab avalanches can break widely across terrain features and can be very surprising. Stay far away from and out from under slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Make sure to stop and re-group in areas well away from avalanche terrain. Consider avoiding avalanche terrain altogether. Use extra caution on slopes where you see wind drifted snow or slopes that are thickly covered by recent snowfall.

    Up to 3 feet of recent snow fell since Dec 30th. In the Wenatchee Mountains, you can find this resting on weak, old layers of snow. The weak snow will look loose, sugar-like, and granular. You may find old crusts near the weak snow, as well. Persistent Slab avalanches are most prevalent in the Wenatchee Mountains and the far eastern edge of the Cascades. Anywhere that you find the new snow resting on old, weak layers you may be able to trigger an avalanche. Closer to the Cascade crest, it's less likely that you'll trigger these dangerous avalanches, though not impossible. Near the Teanaway, Salmon la Sac, Icicle, Lake Wenatchee, Upper Entiat, and Holden Village areas you may find a stronger, deeper snowpack. In those places you may still be able to trigger avalanches in the upper layers of the recent snow

    (1/6/2021) Explosive triggered hard slab avalanche at Mission Ridge, NE, 6300ft. Photo Jake Larson

Avalanche Discussion

The past week has brought dynamic storms and lots of avalanche activity. In addition to the avalanches mentioned above, you may encounter small loose avalanches on steep, wind-sheltered slopes. Many areas near the Cascade crest hold very deep snow from the past week. Be aware of the risk of falling in tree wells, deep snow immersion, and falling tree bombs. Currently, there's a big variation in snowpack characteristics in the zone. You can find a deeper, stronger snowpack near the Cascade crest, where it's difficult to trigger avalanches in older weak layers. Further east the snowpack remains weak and shallow.

Mission Ridge Ski Patrol triggered avalanches as recently as Friday on old weak layers of snow. On Wednesday, they triggered very large avalanches with explosives on NE aspects around 6,300ft. An observer near Holden village reported fresh loose avalanches on Thursday along with slab avalanches (to size D3) from earlier this week. Observers in the Icicle drainage reported a very large (D3) avalanche that ran in Big Slide creek earlier this week. Observers in the Wenatchee Mountains reported surface hoar on the snow surface and test results indicating that you could still trigger avalanches on facets formed earlier in the season. An observer on Blewett Pass reported a natural size D3 avalanche that likely ran Tuesday night near Diamond Head.

To the west, observers have found that snowpack concerns are more limited to recently fallen storm snow. an observer northwest of Cle Elum Lake reported evidence of widespread avalanches running at the beginning of the week, but few results in snowpack tests by Thursday. Similarly, NWAC Forecaster, Josh Hirshberg, was in the Coulter Creek area on Tuesday and found that interfaces of concern were mostly in the recent snow and tests indicated these interfaces would soon be less prone to human triggering.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources. Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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