Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A warm and windy storm could create pockets of wind-loaded snow to avoid at upper elevations on Tuesday. The rising temperatures may help blocks of snow and ice to fall from trees, rocks, and structures. Pay attention to what is overhead at all times.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We have been dealing with Wind Slabs for a few days now and gusty winds could thicken existing or create new slabs above the rain/snow line on Tuesday. Wind Slabs like to form on the leeward side of ridgelines or near rocky features such as the base of cliffs or confined chutes. You can look for textured snow surfaces or actively blowing snow to help you identify wind-loaded terrain to avoid. Firm snow that feels hollow and breaks off in blocks is an easy indication of wind-loaded terrain and you should avoid similar snow on steeper features. If you suspect a slope to be wind-loaded or see shooting cracks in the surface snow, seek out simpler wind-sheltered terrain. 

    (1/7/2022)

    Blowing snow and wind-loading in the snow-covered hills above Naches on Hwy 12.

    Photo: John Stimberis

  • Loose Wet

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

    Below the rain/snow line, we’ll be dealing with wet avalanche problems. Recent snow at the lowest elevations should be well suited to handle the rain. But rising freezing levels throughout the day means that some elevations will be seeing rain on the recent storm snow for the first time. Therefore we expect larger and potentially more widespread wet problems as you ascend in elevation. Regardless of aspect or elevation, anywhere you find rain falling on dry snow you should have these slides on your mind for slopes over 35 degrees. Wet Loose avalanches often start at a point and can entrain significant snow or even trigger slabs as they fan out and descend downhill. Your best bet to avoid these slides will be to head for low-angled slopes away from overhead hazards such as open avalanche paths or hanging blocks of snow and ice. 

    (1/10/2022)

    The snowpack at lower elevations has already seen some rain and should be well suited to take on what this next storm has to offer. Here we see small Wet Loose avalanches on a cut bank that occurred during a period of rain on 1/07.

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC forecasters made a trip to Ahtanum Meadows on Tuesday to take stock of conditions between storms. A generally strong and stable snowpack was found with a noticeable change as you ascended in elevation above ~5500 feet. Below this elevation, the stout crust sat on the surface of a fairly shallow snowpack that lacks layers of concern moving forward. At upper elevations, evidence of wind transport was easy to find and a thicker snowpack with about 10 inches of snow above the 1/7 interface existed.

Although a generally strong and stable snowpack was found in this one location, the East South is a large and variable zone. Neighboring zones have not been so lucky with their stability ratings and you could find that areas at the highest elevations or near the northern and western parts of our zone are more fragile than what was reported on Tuesday. Monday’s information from NWAC forecasters near White Pass confirms that conditions are much different near the crest. Take the time to do your homework in the area you are recreating and be sure you are not missing any red flag signs of instability before stepping into consequential terrain.

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