Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations on Tuesday. Consider steering around steep slopes that are actively loading or show signs of recent slab formation. Lose the problem by dropping some elevation or by traveling on more sheltered slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

     

    As another small storm rolls in, so do the winds. Wind slabs will continue to grow in depth and distribution as a few more inches of new snowfall is added to the mountain landscape. New snowfall may camouflage the older wind slabs that formed during our recent east wind event, so keep this in mind if you’re traveling on windward aspects. 

    You’ll find these slabs forming on the leeward side of ridges, under cornices, in chutes/couloirs, and loading alpine slopes. You can use visual clues to help you identify slopes of concern. Look for blowing snow, cornice growth, ripples, or rounded pillows at the snow surface to identify where the wind has been at work. Pump the brakes and avoid steep slopes if you see shooting cracks under your skis/sled or feel wind-stiffened snow.

    In isolated upper elevation areas these slabs may break in surprising ways if they rest on weak snow or a slick crust from late February. Dig around and see how these slabs are bonding to the old snow surface before committing yourself to steeper lines. 

     

    (1/10/2023)

    Blowing snow and sharp drifts along a ridgeline can help you anticipate wind-loaded features. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Loose Dry

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

    New low density snow could move easily on steep terrain features once a trigger is added. Keep an eye out for these dry sloughs on steep rollovers and in steep gullies and chutes. These sloughs are often more manageable, however, they could create problems if paired with a terrain trap or other groups traveling below.  Have a plan before skiing into steeper rolls and make sure the run out is clean. 

    (2/22/2023)

    An example of small dry loose sloughs 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

The east-south has been in a good pattern of nickel and dime storms which is slowly improving riding conditions. On Monday snotel sites picked up another 3-6 inches of new snow, with Bumping Ridge taking the cake at 6 inches of new snowfall. Going into Tuesday, keep an eye out for a few more inches of low density of snow to be added to the mountain snowpack.

Over the last few days, the East South has gotten some helpful observations.  One observer On Saturday reported triggering a wind slab near the ridge on Darland Mtn (observation). Another observer in the Quartz Mtn area reported blowing snow and signs of wind slabs.  NWAC Forecaster Dallas Glass traveled in the near the western part of the zone and found lots of wind affected snow and weak surfaces. And lastly,  I traveled into the American Ridge area on Saturday and found variable conditions below 5500 ft with faceting snow on shaded aspects at higher elevations ( Observation here). 

If you get into the mountains of the East South, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation

 

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