Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wet loose avalanches are a concern with strong sunshine and warm temperatures at middle and upper elevations. If you find fresh rollerballs, unsupportable wet snow, or recent natural avalanches, avoid similar slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Small human triggered wet loose avalanches will be possible on aspects that see direct sun on Sunday. As the day warms up, look for signs of wet snow instability. The typical progression of wet loose avalanches involves rollerballs and pinwheels, leading to larger point releases. Large chunks of snow falling off trees or cliffs, and sticky snow surfaces also indicate warming. If you find yourself in wet, unsupportable snow or see natural loose wet avalanches, mark that as the time to step back out of avalanche terrain with similar snowpack conditions.

    (11/27/2024)

    Lots of rollerballs indicate a warming and weakening snowpack.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

December is off to a rather un-winterlike start. Warm air temperatures and little to no wind will add to the warming trend. What is unique about this high-pressure cycle, however, is the low-level inversion that will persist through Sunday. This will cause the snowpack below approximately 5500 ft to remain cold and dry.

We have some uncertainty as to how prevalent avalanches will be on Sunday. There is still limited information regarding a lot of the East Central zone. The snowpack is variable, making access to a lot of terrain difficult. Many areas may have been previously solar-affected and have melt-freeze crusts at the surface which must break down before the snow can lose strength. If you find yourself in a more sheltered area with strong sun holding fresh, dry snow, expect the snow to become wet and unstable more quickly. 

There could also still be lingering isolated pockets of wind slabs in more complex and exposed terrain. An excellent way to identify areas of concern before you step out into steeper terrain is by stomping on small test slopes. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are clear signs that you have found an unstable slab.

An early-season snowpack still exists across the zone. Low tide hazards still abound. In addition to colliding with barely covered hazards like stumps and downed logs, an avalanche can drag you over rocks or push you into open creeks or cliffs. Wet avalanche debris can travel far and fan out more widely than expected. Give yourself the time and space to navigate these early season conditions, no matter your elevation.

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