Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow below ridgelines and in gullies are the most likely places to trigger an avalanche. Consider steering around steep slopes with textured surfaces or deep snow drifts. Use caution in very steep terrain where small avalanches can carry higher consequences. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Strong winds and a few inches of recent snow may have formed shallow wind slabs over the past 48 hours. Wind slabs that rest on slick crusts might be quite reactive. You're most likely to encounter wind slabs below corniced ridgelines or in confined alpine features at upper elevations. We expect most of these avalanches would be small, but even a small avalanche can ruin your day. 

    Track the depth of new snow over the old crust and watch for shooting cracks to indicate unstable snow. Small but steep wind-affected test slopes are also a good way to gauge the reactivity of wind-drifted snow. The best way to avoid these avalanches is to choose lower angle or wind-sheltered slopes. 

    (11/25/2024)

    An example of small test slopes producing cracking in wind-drifted snow. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Most surfaces have supportable crusts with just a trace of snow over them, and wet avalanche activity has dropped off significantly with the cool temperatures. But diurnal temperature swings are significant this time of the year, and if we get a few inches of snow overnight, you might see small, wet loose avalanches. Pinwheels, rollerballs, and deep, wet snow are all signs that wet avalanches are possible. A very large wet slab seems unlikely at this point after cooling temperatures, but one might not be completely out of the question. Overhead hazards from snow falling off rock slabs or cornices are also something to keep in mind.

Precipitation amounts around the forecast zone have varied from 0.4” to 1.4” since the 26th, with the highest amounts found along or just east of the crest of the Cascades. At upper elevations, some of this recent precipitation has fallen as snow. So, track snow depths, and if you find more than 6" of fresh snow, you might find small storm slabs or dry loose avalanche problems as well. Track the bond with the underlying crust using quick handpits and heed any warning signs, such as recent avalanches or cracking, as a signal to back off steeper slopes. 

On Saturday, observers in the Icicle Creek Drainage found wind-affected snow, crusts, and rain runnels up to the upper elevations. Small, shallow wind slabs were reactive. The old avalanche debris and crusts made for some challenging travel, but some soft surface conditions could be found. Access at lower elevations is melting out quickly, so you might want to plan for longer approaches.

If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation here. 

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