Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Give steep, wind-loaded slopes a wide berth, especially at upper elevations or farther west near the Cascade Crest. Snow coverage is still shallow, and road damage continues to complicate getting into the mountains. Lookout for rollerballs and small wet avalanches during morning sunbreaks.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs built over the last few days still lurk on downwind slopes, even as winds become calm and significant snowfall ends. Use visual clues like drifts, cornices, and scoured snow surfaces to identify where wind slabs may be hiding. Typical locations include the downwind side of ridgelines, next to or below cliffs, and along gully walls. Pillowy or dense-looking wind slabs might be harder to identify if covered by softer snow that fell during lower wind speeds.

    Use small test slopes to assess stability. Most wind slabs should be found at upper elevations, though some may exist at mid elevations as well. A stout crust lies below the new snow. Tracking the depth of this crust is a great way to gauge new snow and wind slab thickness as you gain elevation or change aspects.

    (12/15/2024)

    Heavy riming on trees and rippled, uneven snow surfaces show that wind-drifted snow was scoured of the slope to the left of the photo and desposited on the slope to the right.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

Most of the day should be cloudy, but there is enough chance of sun that wet avalanches should be on your radar on Sunday. Snow shedding from trees, rollerballs, and very small avalanches will be the first signs that southerly slopes are warming up.

The Green Lake SNOTEL reported about one-third of an inch of precipitation in the last 24 hours, with Bumping Ridge coming in higher at 0.8 inches. Look for anywhere from 6 to 16 inches of new snow over a crust that formed during warmer conditions a few days ago. Temperatures warmed through the day Saturday, with highs in the upper 20s. Expect the new snow to continue settling with milder temperatures on Sunday.

On-the-ground observations remain sparse due to shallow snow cover and access challenges from recent washouts and landslides. Be prepared to assess avalanche danger for yourself as you climb into snow-covered terrain. Variations in precipitation and new snow totals, snow depth, and temperatures can result in very different conditions within a single forecast zone.

Early-season hazards such as exposed or partially covered rocks, downed trees, and open creeks remain widespread. Getting caught in even a small avalanche can have serious consequences with rugged terrain in the runout below.

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

Regions covered