East Slopes South

Identify freshly windblown snow at upper elevations and near wind-exposed ridges by its firm or textured appearance and navigate around steep lee slopes where you find wind-blown snow accumulating. These small slabs will be most likely close to the Cascade crest where more snow is expected.

Several days of warm and sunny weather led to a natural loose wet avalanche cycle over the last few days. Sunday brought clouds and a cooling trend which should have further stabilized the snowpack. Very light snow accumulations should arrive overnight Sunday, but will be most likely close to the Cascade crest. Expect wind slabs to be small and specific to locations like lee slopes near ridge crests. Higher elevation slopes and more wind-exposed areas will be the most likely place to find a fresh slab. Look for actively blowing snow and use surface clues such as firm or textured snow to identify where a wind slab may have formed. If you see these signs navigate around features steeper than 35 degrees that are holding wind drifted snow.

Sun breaks are possible Monday. While there isn't enough snow to create a widespread loose wet avalanche problem, you may experience significant rollerball accumulation if you are on a steep and sun-exposed slope. Use caution near terrain traps such as cliffs and creeks, where these sluffs may be able to knock you over.

Similarly, small loose dry snow sluffs may be found above the recent melt-freeze crust on steep shaded and wind-sheltered slopes. While it's unlikely there will be enough snow in these loose dry avalanches to bury you, use caution around terrain traps where losing your balance could amplify the consequences.

Following a cold and snowy February that featured several distinct avalanche cycles, the last week has been milder and relatively tame.  Deep slab instabilities above the mid-January crust/facet combo caused very large and even historic avalanches in neighboring zones from late February through the first days of March.  The most recent large-very large natural avalanche observed near the East South zone occurred on March 1st on Spiral Butte just east of White Pass.  We have dropped the Deep Persistent Slab problem in the neighboring zones except for East Central. In the Wenatchee mountains where this interface is closer to 2-3 feet down from the surface, snowpack tests and isolated reports of whumpfing mean this problem may be unlikely but not done for now. 

In areas of the zone with a shallower snowpack, especially higher elevation start zones with aspects on the northern half of the compass, continue to avoid traveling in or lingering below large avalanche paths.  Cornices have grown large over the last few weeks and deserve your respect while traveling along ridgelines or below slopes with overhanging cornices.  Cornice fall could be the right-sized trigger to wake up deeper instabilities.  Make your travel plans with this low-likelihood, high-consequence deep slab avalanche problem in mind. Take a look at the media reel or Conditions Blog to get a sense of just how large and destructive these deep slab avalanches were less than 2 weeks ago.  

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.