East Slopes Central

Generally safe avalanche conditions are expected.  At the highest elevations, you could find isolated pockets of wind slab over a slick crust. Most slopes hold breakable or supportable crust, and a fall on steep slopes could lead to sliding easily. 

Observers in Eightmile Creek on Sunday found challenging travel conditions. Blowing snow was observed along the highest peaks and ridgelines, but the main story was a slick and often breakable surface crust that had formed. Light freezing rain early Sunday morning had formed a slick sheen on top of the already stout melt-freeze crust formed earlier in the week. This is similar to an observation from Mt Stuart on Saturday where travelers found a slick melt-freeze crust on the surface up to 8500'. 

Use caution near steep slopes where you find a firm and slick surface crust.  Make sure you can self-arrest a fall and avoid slopes where a slip could cause injury.  If you travel above treeline, particularly closer to the Cascade crest, you may find isolated areas of firmer wind slab on lee slopes.  Steep south-facing slopes may become wet and punchy in the afternoon.  The chances of triggering a loose wet avalanche are low, but consider changing aspects if you start sinking into wet snow deeper than your boot top. 

A major storm delivered heavy snow and rain to the East Central zone from January 11-13.  The Sasse Ridge Snotel picked up almost 5" of water(!) over the event.  Over 2 feet of new snow fell before the switch to rain on the 12th.  Further east, Mission Ridge followed a similar temperature and precipitation type trend but only tallied 2.5" of water over the same period.  Large and destructive avalanches ran on the 12th, both as storm slabs and later as wet snow avalanches. In nearby Stevens Pass zone every avalanche path had at least one, if not multiple avalanches in it. In the East North zone observers reported avalanches up to D3.5 near Washington Pass,(big enough to break mature timber and bury cars) including an avalanche that hit a closed portion of Highway 20, below Delancey Ridge. 

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.