Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Light new snowfall and increasing wind speeds will create heightened avalanche conditions in wind loaded terrain. Some of these wind slabs could trigger easily if they form over weak surfaces. Look for signs of instability and consider steering around steep terrain that appears freshly drifted. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A small storm and an uptick in wind speeds will help create a fresh batch of shallow wind slabs across exposed terrain in the East South. These slabs will be shallow, but could trigger easily and break widely if they form over the surface hoar that formed during our recent clear days and cold nights.  

    Be suspicious of any terrain that promotes drifting. You can often find these slabs on the downwind side of ridges, below cornices, and in craggy terrain exposed to the wind. Blowing snow, textured rippled surfaces, and pillow-like slabs at the surface are clues of recent wind loading. Shooting cracks, snowpack collapsing, and rapid changes in snow depth and stiffness are good reasons to move to lower-angled, sheltered terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

The New Year will bring a small storm to the East South Mountains. It likely won’t be enough to create much avalanche danger outside of wind loaded terrain, but it may bury a layer of surface hoar in some areas sheltered from the wind.  We won’t really know until the storm plays out, so ease into terrain slowly and investigate how the new snow is bonding to the pre-existing surface. Shooting cracks, snow sliding easily, or recent avalanches are great reasons to dial it back. 

On Tuesday, NWAC Forecaster Payton Schiff traveled on Gold Hill Ridge in the western part of the East South. She found stubborn, shallow wind slabs near ridges, widespread surface hoar, and a fairly deep snowpack for late December. She reported the Solstice crust sitting 3-4 ft below the surface and found some light faceting around the crust. Check out her observation here. 

If you get out, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation .

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