Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Firm crusts may produce challenging travel , but rapidly warming temperatures will break down crusts on southerly aspects. Once you can sink into wet snow past your ankles, you can trigger a shallow avalanche on a steep slope. If you're traveling near the Cascade Crest you should consult the Stevens Pass zone avalanche forecast before heading out.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Temperatures have largely been above freezing in the East Central zone since January 11th. We expect the warmest temperatures we've seen so far this season over the weekend. We expect the snowpack to handle the warming gracefully, but the degree of warming adds some uncertainty into the mix, particularly at upper elevations. Crusts should form overnight at all elevations overnight, but may be thin, breaking down easily with sunshine on Saturday on SW-S-SE aspects. As soon as this transition starts to occur, adjust your aspect and move to colder, shaded slopes with a firmer crust. If you head to shallower snowpacks, you might encounter isothermal snow, but reports have yet to indicated instability.

    (1/9/2022)

    Example of small loose wet avalanches in steep sun-exposed terrain. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

If you travel near the Cascade Crest you may encounter higher avalanche danger wind slabs and more widespread loose wet avalanche concerns that are best described in the Stevens Pass zone avalanche forecast. Some higher elevation areas north and west of Salmon La Sac likely received 5-10" of recent snowfall. Most of the rest of the East Central zone picked up a dusting or less of snow with the 1/19-1/20 storm.

On Saturday, you're likely to face challenging travel conditions with crusts, dust on crust, wet unconsolidated snow, and large piles of avalanche debris as you navigate the terrain. New snow may cover up surface hoar that has been observed sitting on the crust on shaded slopes. Whether this snow rests on crusts or weak snow grains, quick hand pits will be a great way to observe how well the storm snow sticks to the underlying surface. If you encounter unusual avalanche activity, choose simple terrain and lower-angle slopes.

 

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