Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Wenatchee Mountains with reports of very large, recent avalanches. Avoid slopes 35 degrees and steeper near and above treeline. Watch for signs that you could trigger a large and deadly avalanche such as whumphing collapses, cracks shooting through the snow, and other recent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    You can trigger very large and destructive avalanches near and above treeline. You may even be able to trigger these avalanches from far away. Persistent slab avalanches can break widely across terrain features and can be very surprising. Stay far away from and out from under slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Make sure to stop and re-group in areas well away from avalanche terrain. Consider avoiding avalanche terrain altogether. Use extra caution on slopes where you see wind drifted snow or slopes that are thickly covered by recent snowfall.

    In the Wenatchee Mountains, you can find up to 3 feet of recent snow that fell since about New Years' resting on weak, old layers of snow formed in December. The weak snow will look sugar-like and granular. You may find old crusts near the weak snow, as well. Persistent Slab avalanches are most prevalent in the Wenatchee Mountains and the far eastern edge of the Cascades. Closer to the Cascade crest, it's less likely that you'll trigger a dangerous avalanche on deeply buried weak layers. Anywhere that you find the new snow resting on old, weak layers you should expect that you may be able to trigger an avalanche.

    (1/6/2021) Explosive triggered hard slab avalanche at Mission Ridge. Photo Jake Larson

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Watch for small wet avalanches on steep, sunny slopes near and below treeline. There may be enough sun to warm sun-exposed southeast through southwest aspects. Watch for surfaces becoming moist, and roller-balls, and tree-bombs as signs of warming. If you see this, move off of slopes steeper than 35 degrees before they become wet and weak. Watch for natural wet loose avalanches coming from overhead rocky terrain.

    (11/22/2020) An example of loose wet avalanches on a steep southeast aspect of Rock Mtn from earlier in the season. Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

The past week has brought dynamic storms and lots of avalanche activity. On Wednesday, Mission Ridge Ski Patrol triggered very large avalanches with explosives on NE aspects around 6,300ft. These slides involved most of the season's snowpack and ran on old weak layers formed early in the season. An observer on Blewett Pass reported a natural size D3 avalanche that likely ran Tuesday night near Diamond Head. Closer to the Cascade Crest, avalanches from this week have involved a variety of storm interfaces and older weak layers. It appears that it's becoming more difficult to trigger avalanches below the storm snow in the western portion of the zone. Many areas near the Cascade crest hold very deep snow from the past week. Be aware of tree wells, and tree bombs. 

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.

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