Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As the day heats up, expect the avalanche danger to rise. You may trigger or see natural wet avalanches as snow sheds from rocks or cornices collapse. Once the snow becomes wet and sticky, limit any time you spend on or under steep rocky slopes and looming cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    A surface crust should limit the wet avalanche danger in the morning. Starting and ending your day early can greatly reduce your risk. Monitor changing conditions by using your boot. Once you find wet snow deeper than your ankle head to more frozen or lower-angled slopes. You could trigger small wet avalanches anywhere you find more than 4 inches fo wet snow. As warm temperatures and sunshine reach around the dial, this could even happen on more northerly aspects. 

    In isolated locations, you could also encounter larger, less predictable gouging wet loose slides. These often occur when a blob of snow falls off rocks, entrains snow, and grows bigger. You’re most likely to see these near and below rocky faces on E-S-W aspects. Don’t hang out in these areas, especially if you see larger debris piles.

    (3/17/2024)

    Wet loose debris in sun between Whistler Mountain and Cutthroat Peak

    Photo: Willie Webster

  • Cornices

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

    As we head deeper into this prolonged warm period, cornices could start to collapse and blocks of snow may shed from rocky slopes. A warm-up earlier in March brought down some of this snow, but plenty remains left to fall. This is all about managing your overhead hazard. Pay attention to what’s above you. Choose routes that minimize or even eliminate any time you spend on or under these features. Shed-style avalanches can occur regardless of time of day and are much more challenging to predict.

    (12/12/2023)

    Example; A  cornice near Blue Lake Peak. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: NWAC is saddened to report an avalanche fatality as a result of a cornice fall on Mount St. Helens. On Friday, March 29, 2024, a snowboarder summited the peak. While standing near the top, he triggered a cornice and fell into the crater triggering a large slab avalanche on the slope below. NWAC is working with Skamania Co Sheriff’s office and SAR to compile a report. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community.

Discussion:

We’re in the middle of several days of warm springtime weather. Sunday night and Monday, So far, we’ve been able to cool off at night. Sunday evening and Monday that could change as the high-pressure ridge turns up the heat. Some areas may not dip below freezing. Clear skies should help the snow surface freeze, but it could be weaker and not last long during the day. Temperatures in the 40s, plenty of sunshine, and light winds should allow the snow to warm quickly. 

Despite the weather, the snowpack still largely remains cold and layered. Only southerly slopes have transitioned to a more spring/summer-like structure. We could still be in for a few surprises. Indeed, over the weekend, several travelers unintentionally triggered avalanches; some were caught, one was buried, and another killed. Just because the sun’s out doesn’t mean the snowpack is safe. 

During this warm-up, we’re primarily worried about the snow over the 3/21 crust. Its depth likely varies greatly around the zone. On southerly slopes, you may not be able to discern it at all. Often this is the prominent layer about 1 foot below the surface. We also haven’t ruled out avalanche failing on deeper layers. These would most likely be in higher elevation north-facing terrain with a large trigger (such as a cornice). 

Dry snow likely still exists on shaded slopes in the alpine. Moderate winds on Sunday may have formed a few wind-loaded pockets in the terrain. They should be isolated, but don’t let one surprise you in high consequence terrain

Regions covered