Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Expect heightened avalanche conditions on steep, sunny slopes as the surface snow melts. You can avoid triggering wet avalanches by moving off off steep slopes before they are wet and unsupportive. Put plenty of space between you and any cornices or slopes with glide cracks.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    You may be able to trigger wet avalanches on slopes over 35 degrees as the surface snow melts through the day. Time your travel to move off of steep, sun-exposed slopes before they're weak enough to slide. If the snow is unsupportive and you sink up to the top of your boots (30-40cm), consider moving to colder, shadier aspects or slopes under 35 degrees. You may have a short window of time when slopes are soft enough for good travel but not so weak that you can trigger avalanches. 

    You may be able to trigger shallow wet slab avalanches. Look for softer, wet layers beneath the harder surface snow. Watch for warning signs like collapses or cracks that shoot through the snow. There's a chance for natural glide avalanches to occur with little warning. Stay off of and well out from under slopes with open, crevasse-like cracks. Finally, cornices hang over some ridges and there's evidence of recent cornice fall in the zone. Stay well out from under any overhead cornices and give them lots of space when traveling on ridges.

    (4/5/2021) A large (D2) avalanche on Lichtenberg Mtn in the neighboring Stevens Pass zone. It likely ran on April 1st or 2nd and may have been triggered by cornice fall. SE, 5,500ft

Avalanche Discussion

Continue to stay alert to changing spring conditions. The avalanche danger will be LOW at sunrise and will increase through the day. Glide cracks have been opening over the past week. Nearby at Snoqualmie Pass, a number of large glide avalanches occurred Saturday. Wet avalanche conditions have been dynamic from day to day. On Monday, I traveled on S-SE aspects of Lichtenberg Mountain.  Starting around 12p, I experienced at least 5 collapses and triggered a small (20cm deep) wet slab avalanche at about 5,000ft. 

Snow totals on Sunday were an inch or less. A storm on 3/29 brought up to 1 foot of snow. Since then sun and warm temperatures drove wet loose avalanches. The lower snowpack is strong and well settled. A layer of facets above a crust from mid-January is about 2-6 feet below the surface. The layer has been dormant for a month, though it could produce large wet slab avalanches as meltwater reaches it. 

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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