Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Increasing wind speeds may start drifting available soft snow into shallow drifts in the alpine. Once you lose the wind, you lose the problem. So consider sticking to more sheltered slopes out of the wind zone if you observe blowing snow or notice fresh drifts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing wind speeds may drift any new and available soft snow into shallow drifts above treeline. Look for these shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow to develop along  the leeward side of ridges, over convex rolls, and under cornices. You should be able to easily spot these fresh drifts. Just look for visual clues such as blowing snow and pay attention to what direction winds are depositing new snow. Avoid these fresh pockets if you notice signs of instability such as shooting cracks. 

    (2/14/2023)

    Use visual clues such as blowing snow to help you identify slopes of concern. 

    Photo: Robert Hahn

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday will be a transition day for the East-South. Look for increasing ridgeline winds and light snow along the western reaches of the zone. The East South will be joining the precipitation party on Monday - with the biggest punch arriving Monday night - which will bring a sharp rise in avalanche danger. 

On Friday an observer in the American Ridge area reported finding good cold snow on east facing terrain, faceting snow in the shade,  and a sun crust on solar slopes that extended up to ridgetop.  At higher elevations they noticed winds drifting any remaining soft snow. Check out their full observation here. 

As we move into this stormier regime the big question mark will be if this weak snow survives the wind speeds and the warm temperatures from the last day. So keep an eye as you travel since this could be our next weak layer in a day or two.  

The MLK crust remains a prominent marker in the upper snowpack. Last Wednesday, NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaporta found this layer 1-2' below the snow surface. While some weak snow is associated with the crust, snowpack tests where they traveled did not produce propagating test results. The weakest snow associated with this interface (rounding facets)was on shaded aspects (NW-N-NE) above 6500 ft.

Let us know what you see by submitting a public observation. 

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