Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warming temperatures and clear skis will quickly turn the recent cold, dry snow into heavy wet snow, and you could trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes in direct sun. Consider sticking to shady or low-angle slopes while the new snow adjusts to the intense spring sun. While avalanches in wet snow may be the most likely problem you'll encounter, triggering avalanches in wind drifted snow at upper elevations may also be possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Recent storms have brought over 3 feet of snow to the eastern slopes of the Cascades, and a sunny warm day on Sunday may quickly turn this dry, cold snow into wet mush. Clouds are forecasted to increase in the afternoon hours, but it won't take much for the strong spring sun to create a wet loose avalanche problem. Temperatures are not reaching record highs. However, they will be the warmest temps in the last couple of weeks. If the snow begins to feel wet and heavy or you observe rollerballs and rocks shedding snow, it will be best to move to lower angle or shadier slopes. Be especially cautious traveling below steep rocky terrain with an overhead hazard of snow shedding off cliffs and rocks. These avalanches may start small, but they can quickly gain snow mass and momentum as they travel downslope. Even a small wet loose avalanche could be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain.

    (4/14/2022)

    Small loose wet avalanches ran soon after the sun came out on Thursday. This slide was above US 97 near Blewett Pass.

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The East Central area has received 2-3 feet of snow in the last week with winds that repeatedly shifted from West to East, building large wind slabs in varied and sometimes unusual locations. On Friday, I traveled in the Blewett Pass area and could feel older wind slabs below my skis with 5-8 inches of snow obscuring the surface. Since recent snow may cover these slabs, they may be more difficult to identify visually, but you can use your pole or probe to feel for stiffer layers in the upper snowpack. While these wind slabs are likely becoming more stubborn to trigger, use caution as you approach ridgelines, particularly on high elevation northern aspects. Fresh shallow wind slabs may also have formed from moderate winds on Saturday and could be easier to trigger. Use visual clues such as textured surfaces, cornices, and pillow-like drifts of snow to help identify these newer slabs.With minimal direct observations and uncertainty about the distribution and sensitivity of these overlapping wind slabs, it is important to enter new alpine terrain slowly and make observations before committing to steep terrain in wind-affected areas. If you see signs of instability such as shooting cracks or feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, move to lower angle or wind-sheltered terrain.

    (4/14/2022)

    Wind textured and drifted snow on Icicle Ridge above Leavenworth.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

A sunny start to Sunday morning should give way to clouds and the potential for some scattered rain or snow showers in the evening. Increasing afternoon winds may add to the stormy afternoon weather. Spring weather in the Cascades is notoriously tricky and can change rapidly. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability.The recent storm snow is up to about 4 feet at upper elevations of Mission Ridge and similar amounts at Blewett Pass with deep drifts. Many other areas recorded 11" to 16" in the East Central by mid-morning on Thursday. I found 3 feet of generally right-side-up new snow at Tronsen Head that seemed well bonded to the early April crust. Mission Ridge reported triggering small wind slabs and loose avalanches with control work. We lack direct information from other locations in the East Central but ranges from Entiat to the Enchantments to the Teanaway likely have multiple feet of new snow over a thicker crust from early April as well. Please help us finish the season strong and submit an observation to the platform if you make it out.  

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