Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The rain will taper off, but warm temperatures and unpredictable wet avalanche conditions will persist. You might still trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes, and very large wet avalanches could still run naturally to valley bottom from upper elevations. Don't linger in gullies or below large avalanche paths above you in the terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Avoid steep slopes where you are sinking deeply into saturated snow and could trigger a wet avalanche. Wet slabs are unpredictable and may run naturally, so make sure you are knowledgeable of any overhead hazard from the terrain above. You don't want to be on or under one of these slopes if it fails, including openings in the forest below steep open terrain. If you cross a track, gully, or runout, do it quickly. Cornice failure and glide avalanches involving the entire season's snowpack should also be on your radar. Avoid traveling below deep, open glide cracks and overhung cornices. 

    Wet slabs aren’t the only issues. You may trigger wet loose slides on steep slopes. These avalanches should be smaller, but with so much heavy snow, they might grab you and not let go. Stick to lower angle and treed terrain to stay out of their grasp.

    (12/29/2024)

    Example A large natural wet avalanche from the west face of Teanaway Mt. earlier this winter.

    Photo: Rob Pollard

Avalanche Discussion

Every wet avalanche cycle is slightly different. However, many times, the third day of sustained above-freezing temperatures comes with unpredictable surprises. While the day might look and feel much nicer with less rain and the potential for sunshine, there is still a high likelihood of avalanches, especially wet slabs. Consider the significant consequences of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. While you might be less likely to trigger a wet loose avalanche on Tuesday, a large wet slab running to valley bottom is still a concern. Choose your terrain wisely, paying attention to the terrain even thousands of vertical feet above you. With no overnight re-freeze of the snowpack, expect challenging travel in deep, wet snow at most elevations on Monday. 

Areas closer to the Cascade Crest received significantly more precipitation and average temperatures have been warmer. Farther east in the zone, much less water fell. Weather stations in the Wenatchee Mts picked up 0.2-0.4” as of Monday afternoon, while areas closer to the crest and further north received .75-1.00 inch of water. On Monday, avalanche professionals in the Holden area reported widespread natural wet avalanche activity, both from over the weekend and ongoing throughout the day. Wet slabs up to size D3 were frequent on northerly aspects, while smaller wet loose avalanches were more common on southern aspects. 

An NWAC forecaster braved the rain on Sunday at Blewett Pass. While this was one of the driest places in the zone, she still found wet snow issues by mid-day. Rollerballs were common. She also noticed the very strong winds along ridgelines.

Regions covered