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

A winter storm will impact the region, but the bulk of the precipitation will fall west of the Cascade Crest. Just enough new snow and strong winds will reach the East South Zone to create fresh slabs in leeward upper-elevation terrain. Use visual clues to identify and avoid large wind-loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The incoming storm should bring 3-6in of new snow to areas above 4500ft by Sunday afternoon and 15-25mph SW winds. The most likely place to find unstable snow will be on leeward slopes near and above treeline, especially near ridgelines, below cliffs, and on slopes below cornices. Pay attention as you transition into wind-affected terrain and look and feel for sudden changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Recent avalanches and shooting cracks should direct you to lower-angle slopes. Even a small avalanche could be a rough ride in these thin snowpack conditions with shallowly buried obstacles under the new snow.

    Look for shooting cracks throughout your travels to identify unstable wind-drifted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

The avalanche danger will gradually rise overnight Saturday as snowfall accumulates. The storm will begin warm and wet before snow levels drop to 3500ft on Sunday. New snow may not bond well initially as it falls on a thin snowpack with variable surfaces. Watch for blowing snow and fresh wind loading throughout the day, and be leery of steep terrain where you find 6in or more of new snow. Another storm arrives Monday, and active weather should continue for the next several days.

The East South zone hasn't received much snow since early January, so the incoming storm will bring a much-needed refresh. Low elevations have very little or no snowpack, and you can expect challenging travel in areas with continuous snow. Utilizing summer trails to access higher elevations with a more robust snowpack may be the best option. An observer near the Bumping Lake area recently found little snow below 5500ft and dust-on-crust conditions above that. Travel cautiously, especially at lower elevations, to avoid impacts with rocks or stumps, and falls into holes. 

Regions covered