Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Look for increasing avalanche danger as the day progresses, especially in wind-drifted locations at upper elevations. Steer around steep slopes if you notice blowing snow or stiffer, textured surfaces under your feet or machine. Shallow coverage will likely be one of your greatest hazards across the East South. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

     Small amounts of new snow and an uptick in wind speeds will create shallow slabs of wind drifted snow. While these should stay small, they could be easy to trigger if they form over faceted surfaces or on slick crust along solar slopes from our recent high pressure. 

    Variable wind directions (SW turning SEerly) throughout the day will create slabs on a variety of aspects. Use your eyes to help you identify where the wind has been at work. Look for blowing snow, textured drifts, or cornice formation to help you identify wind-loaded slopes. 

    See how these slabs are bonding to to the old surfaces before stepping into wind loaded features. Use small test slopes or snowpack tests to gauge the sensitivity of these slabs. Shooting cracks under your feet or machine are obvious signs that you should not ignore. 

    (2/27/2023)

    Seek out more sheltered terrain if you notice blowing snow or textured drifts like this later in the day. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

While we’re not expecting a significant load of new snow, it will be enough to increase the avalanche danger on wind loaded slopes at middle and upper elevations in the coming days. 

Recent observations highlight a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. Most solar aspects (SW-SE) likely have a crust from recent warming, while shaded slopes hold onto lightly faceted snow or even some surface hoar. NWAC forecasters verified this in the nearby East Central zone on 12/11 (observation here). 

As snow starts piling up, look for avalanche conditions to change depending on what aspect and elevation you're on. I expect the new snow to be well bonded to the old snow surface at lower elevations and on non-wind loaded slopes, but it may be touchy in areas where wind is building new slabs on old crusts or surface facets. Take the time to assess the new snow stability when you change aspects and pay attention to cracking, collapsing, and rapid changes in snow density as you travel.

If you get out, let us know what you find by submitting a public observation ! 

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