Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wet avalanches are becoming less likely, but pockets of wet snow sliding off steep rocks and cliffs in the sun are still possible. Pay attention to overhead terrain, and if you're traveling in wet, heavy snow, move to shady or lower-angle slopes. More widespread hazards are exposed rocks, creeks, or other early-season hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Steep rocks and cliffs shedding snow onto the slopes below are the most likely places for wet avalanche activity. In addition, surface crusts on south-facing slopes have had another freeze-thaw cycle to strengthen. So, we anticipate that the terrain where small wet avalanches might occur will be isolated. We have limited information and some uncertainty with the distribution of this problem. So, watch for surface crusts to break down and snow surfaces to become wet or for rollerball activity to indicate an increasing potential for wet avalanches. The inversion will persist, maintaining a complex temperature profile throughout the zone. Temperatures will be colder in the eastern portion of the zone and warmer at higher elevations and areas further west. This complex setup means it may be difficult to pinpoint precisely where there will be the highest likelihood of wet, loose avalanches. If you use northern or shady slopes for sliding and riding, you'll likely find soft, dry snow and little chance of wet avalanches. 

    (3/18/2023)

    Wet avalanches often initiate from steep roky terrain, like in this photo.

    Photo: Pat Riffie

Avalanche Discussion

The stubborn inversion is keeping lower elevations cold and shrouded in clouds, while mid and upper elevations bake in the sunshine. On Monday, Mission Ridge had quite the upside-down temperature profile. At 2 pm it was 24°F in the base area and 41°F at the summit.

Observers reported minimal wet loose avalanche activity, just some rollerballs on south and east aspects at upper elevations. They also noted melt-freeze crusts on southern slopes. North-facing aspects still hold cold, dry snow that is beginning to weaken and become faceted. We expect little change over the next few days, just a slight decrease in the likelihood of triggering wet avalanches as the snowpack undergoes additional melt-freeze cycles.Reports are isolated, but there have been a couple of skier-triggered wind slab avalanches in alpine terrain over the past week. These avalanches have all been small, but it's worth considering if you're using the nice weather to get into complex terrain in the upper elevations. Depending on the type of terrain you're traveling in, even a small avalanche can ruin your season. Look for signs of wind-textured surfaces and use small test slopes to see if they produce cracking or mini avalanches before committing to more consequential terrain features. 

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