Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

There is about 4 ft of recent storm snow in much of the zone, so a conservative approach to travel around avalanche terrain is warranted. There is potential to trigger very large slabs in steep, wind-loaded alpine terrain. Loose avalanches may be easily triggered or even run naturally in steep terrain during periods of heavy snowfall, and on slopes that receive strong sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Winds have been creating thick drifts with the low-density new snow in many areas.  Most slabs are likely to be small, but there's potential to trigger very large avalanches if they fail on an old crust from early April. Slides could be well over 3ft deep if they did run on this layer. You can minimize your chances of triggering a slide by sticking to wind-sheltered areas and lower angled terrain.  If you see warning signs like fresh avalanches, shooting cracks or active wind transport, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees. 

    Recent winds have shifted directions and formed wind slabs on various aspects and sometimes in unusual locations. This has been a large storm for many areas in the East Central and we have minimal information from alpine terrain. Cautious and conservative travel are a great approach to use when heading into the mountains.

    (4/14/2022)

    Wind textured and drifted snow on Icicle Ridge above Leavenworth.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Loose Dry

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

    Low-density new snow has been sliding easily on very steep slopes, especially at times of heavier snowfall, and during the afternoon on slopes that receive sun. Stay alert to changing conditions and expect slopes well over 35 degrees to 'sluff' easily. Use small test slopes to check how the snow is behaving. Use extra caution near slopes with terrain traps like trees, gullies, or rocks. Be aware that large and/or complex terrain features could produce larger and more consequential slides.

    If you observe snow surface becoming heavy or damp, consider moving to more shaded aspects or slopes less than 35 degrees. The surface of east-south-west aspects could quickly become warm and wet as the daytime warms up. Even 10 minutes of sun could be enough to trigger natural loose wet avalanches. 

    (4/14/2022)

    Small loose wet avalanches ran soon after the sun came out on Thursday. This slide was above US 97 near Blewett Pass.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Many areas recorded another 11" to 16" in the East Central by mid-morning on Thursday. I could see large natural loose avalanches near Power Creek in Tumwater Canyon that likely occurred during periods of heavy snowfall in the morning. There's been considerable uncertainty with the weather forecasts, so it's best to take a dynamic approach to your day. If you find that it is snowing heavily, expect instability to rise quickly, and make adjustments to your route to fit the observed danger. Any lengthy periods of sun are sure to create loose wet instability quickly on Friday.

If you plan to recreate near Mission Ridge, be sure to check their uphill status here. Please observe and respect uphill closures while the ski area prepares to open for the weekend.The storm snow is up to about 4ft at upper elevations of Mission Ridge, with areas of drifts well over 7ft deep. We lack much information from other locations in the East Central, but ranges from Entiat to the Enchantments to the Teanaway likely have multiple feet of new snow over a thicker crust from early April as well.  One observer reported a small natural windslab near Blewett Pass on Wednesday, and I also observed what appeared to be a small wind slab from an exposed feature at 6,500ft near Mission Ridge that day. The storm snow appeared to be right side up and bonding fairly well with the older crust from early April, but I didn't observe that many areas, and one slope did hold weaker snow above the crust. Exposed areas appeared thickly drifted, and folks have generally been avoiding steep, wind-loaded features. 

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