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

Avalanche danger is Low in the morning but is expected to increase at all elevations by late morning. You can still find dry snow on direct north-facing slopes, but even these may become moist during the day, especially near and below treeline. Start early, and be ready to move away from steep slopes once you observe an increase in loose wet activity, rollerballs, or wet gloppy snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Friday marks the beginning of a gradual warming trend, and wet loose avalanches should be expected over the next few days. Avalanche danger will be lowest first thing in the morning, but may quickly rise with direct sun and daytime warming. Start early, and stay on colder slopes in an attempt to 'beat the heat', but pay attention to wet, gloppy snow, snow falling out of trees, rollerballs, and loose wet avalanches.

    Loose wet activity may increase markedly during the middle of the day, and could become large in larger terrain features. Slides may also become larger if they begin to gouge into deeper storm layers. Even a small wet loose avalanche could be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain.

    Small loose wet avalanches. Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

April seems to be dishing out storms that favor the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Mission Ridge reported 7" of new snow in their upper basin on Thursday morning, with areas near the crest perhaps picking up slightly less amounts. Rollerballs were reported from there, and small loose wet avalanches occurred on steep slopes below 4,500ft. Some loose wet avalanches were observed in steeper chutes of Tumwater Canyon by mid afternoon (see photo below). Spring weather is often dynamic in the mountains. Keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability such as recent avalanches, wet snow surfaces, actively blowing snow, and heavy snowfall.

Over the last week and a half, 2-4 feet of snow has accumulated in the East Central. Sunny weather on Sunday formed melt-freeze crusts on southern aspects that now have 3-10inches of snow over them. Rain at elevations below 4000ft has created a stout crust that may make travel challenging. The crust buried on 4/8 is now under 3-5 feet of snow. There is uncertainty around these interfaces with limited observations and challenging access, so it will be worth digging down to investigate before committing to steep terrain. If you are out enjoying the long days in the mountains, please help us finish the season strong and submit an observation to the platform. 

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