Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You’ll find the most dangerous avalanche conditions closer to the crest and at higher elevations where the combination of stronger winds and new snow can build fresh slabs. Watch out for firmer wind-loaded pockets below cornices, near exposed features, and along the sides of mid-slope gullies.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    For several days we’ve been getting reports of small human triggered wind slabs, blowing snow, and growing cornices. Sunday night’s strong and gusty winds should keep this trend going. When there’s blowing snow, assume wind slabs are nearby until you can prove otherwise. 

    In the morning, these slabs may still be actively forming and easier to spot. It’s hard to ignore the blowing snow and wind hitting you in the face. As winds ease, you’ll need to look for textured surfaces and sharp drifts to anticipate wind loaded features. These potential slabs will be the deepest and most dangerous where there’s the most new snow. Not surprising, they’ll likely be deeper and more common higher in the terrain and closer to the Cascade crest.

    A few older slabs from the past week could still lurk in larger alpine terrain. It will be tough to say exactly where these harder slabs might exist but don't rule them out, especially below large well developed cornice lines. 

    (12/28/2024) Blowing snow near Tronsen Ridge. 

Avalanche Discussion

After a blustery night Sunday, things should start to quiet down in the East Central zone on Monday. This will give the snowpack a break and allow any lingering weaklayers a chance to heal. 

Coming out of such a stormy period, we have a healthy dose of uncertainty about the snowpack, particularly higher in the terrain. While we think avalanche activity will be relegated to wind loaded slopes, we can’t rule out a slide breaking on an interstorm layer or even down to the Solstice Crust. Focus your observations above this prominent snowpack marker. 

On Sunday, avalanche professionals in the Icicle drainage found recent wind slabs at middle and upper elevations under a bit of fresh snow. This firmer pockets still produced cracks when tested.  They also noted evidence of natural cornice collapses and large cornice-triggered wind slabs mostly from Saturday's warm wet weather. At lower elevations (5000ft near the crest, 4500ft further east), rain and warm temperatures significantly impacted the snowpack. This also resulted in at least one large natural wet avalanche near Teanaway Mt (see pictures).

Cooling temperatures will help limit the danger at lower elevations as all this wet snow forms a new crust. In the meantime, you could encounter variable conditions with breakable crusts, wet punchy snow, and firm slick surfaces. 

Regions covered