Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

An active stormy period will continue to favor the central part of the zone including the Wenatchee Mountains and Icicle Creek.  You can easily trigger large and dangerous avalanches at upper elevations where the wind drifts thick slabs of snow. Watch for loose avalanches in steep, wind-sheltered terrain and on slopes that receive sunshine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    You can trigger avalanches on leeward slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Some of these could be large and dangerous. Strong easterly winds have drifted significant slabs in the past three days. You can minimize your chances of triggering a slide by sticking to scoured slopes, ridges, lower-angle terrain, or wind-sheltered areas.  If you see warning signs like fresh avalanches or cracks shooting through the snow, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees. 

     Easterly winds will continue though less intense than the past two days. Mission Ridge recorded wind gusts into the 90mph range on Monday. Observers there reported significant wind transport with drifts up to 6 feet deep and windward slopes scoured to the Early April crust. Winds that shifted directions formed wind slabs on various aspects and sometimes in unusual locations.

    (3/16/2022)

    Wind slab in high elevation terrain in the Icicle Creek drainage.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    You can find 1-2 feet of recent snow accumulation. This light, dry snow could slide easily on very steep slopes or where the sun warms the snow surface. Stay alert to changing conditions and slopes well over 35 degrees where the snow slides easily. Use small test slopes to check how the snow is behaving. Use extra caution near slopes with terrain traps like trees, gullies, or rocks.  In these locations, small slides could result in injury or worse.

    (2/21/2022) Loose avalanches earlier this season on Devore Peak Photo: NWAC public obs

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday, expect ongoing snow and easterly wind at lower intensities than previous days but still favoring the eastern Cascades. Generally, 3-6" of snow could accumulate with the Wenatchee Mountains and the Icicle drainage potentially receiving up to 10".  Skies should be mostly cloudy with a few breaks in the clouds late in the day and in the northern portion of the zone.Mission Ridge Ski Patrol reported 20 inches of recent snow with strong to extreme winds. Observers in the Salmon la Sac area reported approximately 3 feet of snow on the ground resting over the Early April Crust. Northerly aspects had a favorable, right-side-up dry snowpack, while southerly aspects quickly became wet with widespread rollerballs.Access into snow-covered terrain in the zone is challenging, and direct observations are limited. However, recent snow has been piling up, and upper elevations still have a deep and layered winter snowpack. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability. Even brief sun breaks can quickly cause wet loose or dry loose avalanche problems. The dynamic spring weather and increased diurnal temperature fluctuations create more uncertainty about what avalanche problems you may encounter during the day. If you observe weather or snowpack conditions you did not anticipate, it may be best to simplify your terrain selection and choose lower angle slopes.

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