Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Ongoing light snowfall and easterly winds are maintaining avalanche danger. Use caution on steep slopes exposed to the wind near and above treeline. Steep, wind-sheltered slopes in direct sun may warm up enough to produce small loose avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    East winds formed slabs over the past two days and may continue to be strong enough to transport snow on Wednesday. Slabs may be thickest and larger at upper elevations. Look for blowing snow or evidence of recent wind transport (sculpted or pillowed wind features or areas of relatively deeper and shallower snow) as you climb in elevation. If you observe shooting cracks in drifted snow, stay off of leeward slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Cornices may be fragile from recent growth, and could break under the weight of a person. 

    Small wind slab example.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    On Wednesday, you can trigger two types of loose avalanches- those that involve cold snow on steep shaded slopes, and those that involve snow that warms up on slopes that get direct sunshine. In either case, stay alert to changing conditions and slopes well over 35 degrees where the snow slides 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.  In these locations, small slides could result in injury or worse.

    If clouds break, the surface of east-south-west aspects could quickly become warm and weak. Even 10 minutes of sun could be enough to trigger natural loose avalanches. If you see clearing skies and warming of the surface snow, consider moving to more shaded aspects or slopes less than 35 degrees. Dry loose avalanches in storm snow have been common on a variety of aspects over the past few days. 

    (2/27/2022) A natural loose dry avalanche from earlier this winter near Cutthrout creek. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

WSDOT forecasters reported 8" of new snow on Washington Pass on Tuesday with less accumulation west of the pass. Another couple of inches could accumulate on Wednesday. There's a chance for some clearing in the afternoon, though uncertainty exists.

Information and observations are limited. Access to snow-covered slopes has become difficult in many parts of the zone. Be prepared to make your own observations and assessments. If you see conditions different from what we describe, defer to lower-angle and simpler terrain. The North Cascades Highway SR 20 is currently gated at Silverstar, though the road is plowed further west. Until the road opens, the WA State DOT allows recreational access on the North Cascades Highway near Washington Pass from Friday-Sunday. With road clearing operations underway midweek and other professional operations inactive, your observations are needed. If you're out in the mountains, let us know what you see. 

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