Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Sunday will bring a return to winter with new snow, strong winds, and dangerous avalanche conditions. New snow will fall on slick or weak surfaces, and the wind will distribute snow into deep drifts. Avoid steep slopes in wind-affected terrain, especially in areas closer to the Crest with greater storm snow depths.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Up to a foot of new snow is forecasted for the southern Cascades, with the highest snow totals in areas close to the Cascade crest. Areas further east may see very light snow accumulations. New snow will fall on various surfaces, including slick crusts, windblown, or weak snow over the recent Valentine's Day crust and may not bond well to these existing surfaces. Enter new terrain slowly and make observations as you travel. Quick hand pits will be a great way to investigate this shallowly buried interface. Look for red-flag signs of instability such as shooting cracks, recent avalanches, or collapsing. These are signs you should stick to lower-angle terrain. Strong winds will accompany this storm, and deep wind slabs will also be likely throughout the terrain. You may find wind-affected snow at lower elevations and in unusual locations. Look for visual clues of wind-affected snow such as round pillowlike drifts, textured surface snow, and cornices. Sunday will be a good day to avoid steep slopes in wind-affected terrain. 

    (2/2/2022) Quick hand pits are a great way to track shallowly buried interfaces and new storm snow instabilities. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

A long-awaited storm on Saturday night will bring stormy conditions and the return of winter. Snow totals will likely taper off quickly further east of the Cascade Crest. Expect elevated avalanche hazard in locations further west in the zone and challenging travel conditions in the eastern portion. Obstacles that have recently melted out of the snowpack may be lurking just under the snow surface.

The recent weather pattern has taken a toll on the snowpack. Warm temperatures, sunshine, and strong winds all played a role in creating a wide variety of snow surfaces, including icy slopes, rough frozen snow, and breakable crust. Many shallow spots in the snowpack continue to melt out, and rocks, trees, and creeks have reemerged. The greatest hazard you face may be navigating the variable travel conditions and numerous obstacles. 

Last weekend, NWAC forecasters traveled to Darland Mountain in the East South zone and found a strong and stable snowpack. You can read more about the conditions in this observation. Unfortunately, many southern aspects and ridges melted out to bare ground, clear evidence of the extended dry, warm weather of January and early February. Check out more information about current snow depth climatology throughout the region HERE. Thankfully, valley inversions have preserved some snow at lower elevations, so the riding conditions and groomed trails are still open to travel.

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