Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You’ll have to manage both wet and dry snow avalanche problems depending on your aspect and position in the zone. At upper elevations, keep an eye out for lingering pockets of wind drifted snow, especially in spots that still have soft, dry snow at the surface. Warming temperatures may reinvigorate another round of softening surfaces and potentially small wet avalanches as the crust breaks down. Challenging, firm travel will be one of your most significant hazards on Thursday. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While most wet snow avalanches have likely run their main course, another round of clear skies and warm temperatures may reinvigorate some rollerballs or even some small wet loose avalanches on select sunny slopes. Most will be small, but don’t underestimate wet snow in bigger south facing terrain. Look for signs of warming and remember that rollerballs & pinwheels are often precursors to larger wet avalanches.

    (1/7/2025)

    Wet loose avalanches at Stevens Pass.  These naturally ran from steep, rocky outcroppings in East Highlands Bowl. E, 5500ft. These occurred 1-2 days ago. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Lingering wind slabs will range in size and sensitivity based on your location in the zone. Expect larger and potentially more sensitive wind slabs in areas further north ( near Holden) or further west in the zone. You’ll generally encounter less snow available for transport and therefore smaller, less sensitive wind slabs in the Wenatchee's or further south. 

    Corniced ridgelines, confined gullies, and the base of cliffs are all likely places to find fresh wind slabs. We expect most avalanches to be small. However, wind slabs may form over slick to weak surfaces and break wider than expected. Dig down and frequently assess the recent snow using small test slopes and quick hand pits. If you find the snow slides easily, back off steep terrain objectives and choose lower-angle slopes.

    A small crown in wind drifted snow on Axis Peak on Wednesday. This is the type of terrain you may find lingering slabs in. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC Forecaster, Katie Warren traveled into the Eightmile drainage up Icicle Creek on Wednesday. She reported better views than skiing. Unfortunately, she found a melt-freeze crust on most aspects up to 6500 ft in this area. Shaded aspects above this elevation do hold onto colder snow, but also very wind-affected surfaces with minimal soft snow available for transport. In test profiles, she reported a weaker layer of faceted snow roughly 9 inches below the surface that produced clean planar results with compression tests but failed to propagate with longer columns.  Surface hoar and other near-surface faceted grains were also reported at middle and lower elevations. You can check out her full observation here. 

On Sunday, an NWAC forecaster in the Salmon La Sac area reported widespread natural avalanche activity throughout the terrain. Lower elevations saw many wet loose and wet slab avalanches, and ridgelines were peppered with an abundance of small crowns. These avalanches were primarily small, likely involving just the recent snow. Observers in the Wenatchee Mountains near Mission Ridge and Blewett Pass found buried surface hoar below the most recent snow. Stability tests have produced inconsistent results, but we expect this layer to be the culprit in the many avalanches seen in the Salmon La Sac area on Sunday. Dig down and identify this persistent weak layer before committing to steep terrain. If you find the telltale grey line of feathery grains buried in the snowpack, consider sticking to more conservative terrain since these layers can be reactive long after the last storm. 

If you get out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation. 

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