Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The winds drifted the recent snow into stiff slabs, and you could still trigger avalanches in wind-loaded pockets at upper elevations. Slopes below corniced ridges, the base of cliffs, and confined terrain features are the most suspect areas with lingering unstable snow. It's springtime, so if the skies clear for any length of time, watch for wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It's been a wintery few days, and steady winds drifted the new snow into slabs, particularly at upper elevations. Older wind slabs may be stubborn, but some light snow with increasing afternoon winds will likely build fresh shallow slabs that are easier to trigger. Steep slopes below corniced ridges, confined gullies, and the base of cliffs are the most likely places to get caught up in one of these avalanches. Look for actively drifting snow and textured surfaces to identify potential wind slab locations. If you suspect a steep slope to be wind-loaded or see obvious signs of unstable snow, such as shooting cracks, travel on lower angle slopes, ridge tops, or scoured wind-ward aspects instead. 

    (4/1/2023)

    Small, human triggered wind slab at Mission Ridge on Saturday.

Avalanche Discussion

It's a tricky spring cloud forecast, but there is a chance the sun will make a prolonged appearance. If this is the case, you may see small wet loose avalanches on steep solar slopes. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as warning signs that the snow surface is becoming wet and weak. Consider moving off steep sunny aspects if you notice the surface snow getting moist.The zone picked up 6-12" on Saturday, and new snow should continue to trickle in with this unsettled spring weather pattern. There were several natural and human-triggered avalanches reported on Saturday. The new storm instabilities seem to be settling out, but with continued light snowfall, we expect some lingering avalanche potential at upper elevations. Lower trailheads are melting out, and bare patches exist on some groomed trails, all signs that spring is near. The weather, however, is still set on winter. Winter storms in the early spring tend to bring complex and overlapping avalanche problems. You may experience dry slab avalanches and a rapid transition to wet snow avalanches with even a brief period of sunshine. The rapidly changing weather often makes for a tricky avalanche forecast. Stay tuned to the changing snowpack conditions and look for signs of instability. Recent avalanches, rapidly melting snow surfaces, shooting cracks, or actively drifting snow are all signs of deteriorating snow stability. Monitor the snow as you travel and be prepared with options to travel on less consequential terrain with lower angle slopes if you find questionable snowpack conditions. 

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