Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Cold temps will moderate on Friday, but you may still be able to trigger avalanches where the winds have recently drifted the recent light dry snow. The most likely places to find these unstable slabs will be at upper elevations on steep slopes below ridges or confined terrain features. Steer around these deep-looking drifts of snow in steep terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Easterly winds recently drifted the very light snow into stiff slabs on lee aspects. While winds decreased during the day on Thursday, you may still be able to trigger lingering pockets of wind slabs on Friday. You’ll find these slabs forming on the leeward side of ridges, under cornices, in gullies/couloirs, and cross-loading alpine features. 

    As you travel, use visual clues to help you identify slopes of concern. Look for textured surfaces or rounded pillows on the snow surface to determine where the wind has drifted snow. Ease into the terrain using smaller, less consequential slopes to see how the snow reacts. If you find cracks or feel firm hollow snow underneath you, step back and stay off these suspected wind-loaded areas.

    (12/3/2022)

    Actively blowing snow, freshly building sharp cornices, and textured surfaces. All easy-to-identify signs of wind-loading. Look for wind slabs on the slopes on the left side of the picture.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche Fatality: Colchuck Pk, East Central Zone: Read the preliminary report here.

The East-South snotel sites have picked up anywhere from 3-6 inches of low density snowfall this week. You may find higher amounts closer to the Cascade Crest and, more specifically, close to White Pass, which did pretty well with this last system. As the winds shifted directions from west to east, this new snow easily drifted into stiff slabs and possibly scoured windward aspects down to the most recent crust. 

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

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