East Slopes South

Strong ridgeline winds continue to build slabs onto lee slopes, potentially well below typical start zones. Steer clear of areas where you find active snow transport or recent snow loading. In some areas, avalanches could break into older, weak snow layers to produce large and deadly avalanches.

Several storms with strong W winds and light amounts of new snow Thursday night / Friday and again Saturday / Sunday continue to build small-large slabs onto lee slopes that you can trigger. Due to the strength of the winds, slabs may form well below ridgecrest.  New wind-transported snow may rest on a  thin temperature crust that likely formed up to 6000-7000 ft during a period of sun and warm temperatures on Friday. Blowing snow should continue to serve as your simplest observations to identify wind loaded slopes. Drifts behind objects and changes in the depth of soft snow may also help you pick out potential trouble spots. Be suspicious of mid-slope terrain features and cross-loaded gullies or terrain traps where snow may accumulate. Avoid wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees at all elevations, recognizing that slab avalanches will be larger, more dangerous, and more widespread as you ascend to higher elevations.

We don’t know much about the snowpack structure of the East South area. However, all other zones in the Washington Cascades show persistent slabs in their forecasts (e.g. West South Forecast, East Central Forecast). A safe bet will be to assume that persistent weak layers exist at least in some parts of this region too. In most areas, weak facets sit above a very thick and prominent mid-Janurary crust (1/13). These sugary grains failed in avalanches in both adjacent zones (East Central and West South). While you can use snow profiles and snowpack tests to find and monitor these layers, don’t risk your life based on one hole in the snow. Avalanches are most likely to fail on persistent grains underneath wind loaded pockets. As a result, give all steep wind-loaded slopes a very wide berth. If you dig in the snow, help us find and track these potentially dangerous layers by submitting an observation. 

At lower elevations, a thin snowpack still exists in many locations. Shallowly buried obstacles, open creeks, and bare ground may block your path. The snowpack should increase dramatically as you ascend in elevation and get closer to the Cascade crest. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.