Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger wet avalanches on very steep slopes with consistent snow coverage. Check the upper portion of the snowpack to see how moist or frozen the snow is and how easily it slides. Shift your mindset to hazard associated with dry, wind drifted snow along the western edge of the zone if you manage to get into the highest elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will be most likely in very steep terrain where recent snow has fallen on a smooth crust that formed in January.  Use caution on slopes where a small avalanche could push you into terrain traps such as rocks, trees, or creeks. Punching deeply through moist snow can be an indication that it's unstable. Triggering rollerballs and micro avalanches on steep terrain features is also a way to see how easily recent snow slides as you move through the mountains. Hazard is lower on slopes that lack sufficient snow coverage, where surfaces are really rough, or when recent snow is refrozen.

Avalanche Discussion

Pinning down the likelihood of wet snow avalanches after the snowpack has been moist for a few days is difficult. On Saturday, an NWAC forecaster in the Teanaway drainage reported that loose wet avalanches ran naturally and were easy to trigger at middle and upper elevations. Around 8" of moist snow slid easily on the January Drought Interface. Will this still be the case on Monday? Ultimately, we don't need to know the exact answer to keep ourselves safe. If surfaces are mushy and wet, assume some wet avalanche hazard and proceed accordingly, keeping an eye out for more signs of wet snow instability as you go.

At upper elevations in the Salmon La Sac, wind slabs may be present in lee terrain on Monday. While there is high uncertainty, this can also be an easy problem to identify. If you find yourself moving through dry snow, shift your attention to typical places that slabs form; just below ridgelines and along gully walls (cross-loading). Textured surfaces, cracking in new snow, and fresh drifts are also clues to observe.

There's dry ground across many low-elevation or south-facing slopes, reminiscent of early-season conditions. The Wenatchees lack consistent snow coverage for on-snow recreation altogether. Plan ahead for challenging travel and keep an eye out for exposed obstacles and open creeks.

Regions covered