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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Highlights

Strong winds and continued light snowfall will maintain concern for avalanches in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations. Be especially cautious on northerly aspects above 6000ft near the Cascade Crest where slabs rest on weak snow and may be easier to trigger. Consider taking lower angle routes to make observations before committing to steep terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing WNW winds could blow up to 40mph at ridgetops overnight Saturday. With plenty of snow available for transport, winds will build fresh drifts and thicken existing slabs near and above treeline. On north and east aspects, these slabs have formed over weak snow grains above a crust. Observations of avalanche activity suggest that the sensitivity of this layer may vary significantly throughout the terrain. Therefore, adjacent slopes may react differently, and it may not be the first person on the slope who triggers an avalanche. Be sure to dig down around 1ft to assess how the recent snow is bonded to the underlying crust looking for easy or sudden failures. The best way to avoid being surprised by one of these avalanches is to stick to wind-sheltered areas or lower angle slopes.

    (3/18/2022)

    The crown from a recent snowmobile triggered wind slab that failed on the March 8th facets at approximately 6800ft on an eastern aspect on Darland Mountain. 

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Following a windy night Saturday, overcast skies with very light precipitation are forecast for the east slopes of the Cascades on Sunday. Additional snow accumulations of 1-2in will bring snow totals since 3/12 up to around 12-18in at upper elevations closer to the Cascade Crest. 

NWAC staff traveled in the Ahtanum Meadows area on Friday (Observation). Rounding facets were identified overlying the Early March Crust, which was buried about 11-15 inches deep. Both natural and human-triggered avalanches were observed that failed on this layer 3/16-17. Although avalanche activity on this layer currently seems to be isolated to areas where the wind has drifted the snow into deeper slabs, it could become a more widespread problem in the future with additional heavy loading.

The East South zone is certainly not breaking any records for snowpack depths this winter. The warm temperatures associated with recent storms kept snow accumulations minimal at elevations below 6000ft. Below treeline areas have very little or no snowpack and many southerly aspects are melted out to ridgetops. Utilizing roads and summer trails to access higher elevations with a more robust snowpack is the best option. Travel cautiously, especially at lower elevations, to avoid impacts with rocks or stumps, and beware of open creeks.

Regions covered