East Slopes South

Very strong winds transported fresh snow into firm windslabs which may have developed in unusual locations and further downslope than typical. In some areas, avalanches could break into older snowlayers and produce large and deadly slide.

 A moderate storm impacted the East South area, with significant winds and a few inches of new snow Friday--a pattern that will repeat Saturday. You could trigger avalanches in places where the winds drift the snow into deeper slabs. Blowing snow may serve as your simplest observations to identify wind loaded slopes. Drifts behind objects and changes in the depth of soft snow may also help you pick out potential trouble spots. Strong westerly winds could form slabs on exposed features at any elevation. 

We don’t know much about the snowpack structure of the East South area. However, all other zones in the Washington Cascades show persistent slabs in their forecasts (West South Forecast, East Central Forecast). A safe bet will be to assume that persistent weak layers exist at least in some parts of this region too. In most areas, weak facets sit above a very thick and prominent mid-Janurary crust (1/13). These sugary grains failed in avalanches in both adjacent zones (East Central and West South). While you can use snow profiles and snowpack tests to find and monitor these layers, don’t risk your life based on one hole in the snow. Avalanches are most likely to fail on persistent grains underneath wind loaded pockets. As a result, give all steep wind-loaded slopes a very wide berth. If you dig in the snow, help us find and track these potentially dangerous layers by submitting an observation. 

At lower elevations, a thin snowpack still exists in many locations. Shallowly buried obstacles, open creeks, and bare ground may block your path. The snowpack should increase dramatically as you ascend in elevation and get closer to the crest. 

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.