Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow created avalanche danger where you find 6" or more of snow lying above a crust. Rollerball activity warns you to adjust your aspect away from steep sun-affected slopes. As you approach ridgelines, steer around steep open slopes where you find fresh or recent wind deposits.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The sun should penetrate thin clouds Friday morning to destabilize any surface snow receiving significant solar radiation. The deeper the recent dry snow, the more snow there will be to entrain in an avalanche. Rollerballs help you anticipate small loose avalanches.  Watch for snow falling off rocks or trees that may trigger wet loose avalanches on the slopes above you.  If you find 6" or more of sticky, wet snow or you observe rollerball activity, adjust your aspect to cooler, shaded, or lower angle slopes away from overhead hazards.  Avoid triggering even a small wet loose avalanche near terrain traps like cliff bands or gullies. 

    (3/30/2021) A small, skier triggered wet loose avalanche on a southeast facing slope at 6,300ft near Mission Ridge. Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Moderate to strong W and WSW winds Wednesday night drifted up to 8" of fresh low-density snow into slabs. With crusts on most aspects prior to the storm, it should be straightforward to monitor the average depth of the new snow in your terrain. That depth will increase on wind-loaded slopes where slabs may form.  Firm or punchy snow layers and textured snow may tip you off to wind deposits. Anticipate slabs in the lee of ridgelines where fresh cornices highlight them on the slopes below. As the next system approaches, you may experience active wind transport, depositing intoshallow but reactive slabs. Navigate around steep slopes where you anticipate wind drifts may be 6" or deeper.

    (3/22/2021) Small wind slab release on a test slope. Notice the rippled texture to the snow surface. Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday night's storm brought around 4-8 inches of new snow to western parts of the zone decreasing to around 1-2" in the Wenatchee Mountains. The new low-density snow rests atop a crust (4/7) on most aspects and elevations or perhaps cold, dry snow on upper-elevation northerly slopes. We're primarily focused on the recent snow and resultant avalanche concerns. Lower snow totals in eastern portions of the zone limit avalanche hazard in areas such as the Wenatchee Mountains.  A solid overnight refreeze Thursday night combined with increasing winds on Friday maintains lower chances of glide avalanches and cornice fall, but continue to give these features a wide berth.  Keep an eye on open glide cracks and cornices as we head into next week when warmer weather returns. 

The lower snowpack is strong and well settled. A layer of facets above a crust from mid-January is about 2-6 feet below the surface. The layer has been dormant for a month although it may awaken later this spring with the right conditions.  

If you're out midweek let us and the backcountry community know what you see and Submit an Observation. 

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.

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