Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could still trigger avalanches near ridges at higher elevations, where the wind has drifted recent snow into stiff slabs. The most likely locations to find unstable wind drifted snow will be in alpine areas on steep slopes below ridges, confined terrain features, and at the base of cliffs. Identify these deep drifts with stiff, textured snow surfaces and steer around them on steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The most likely locations to trigger wind slabs will be in alpine terrain, and they may be larger in areas closer to the Cascade Crest with higher storm snow totals. With the strong and sustained overnight wind speeds, you may find wind slabs formed lower down on the slope than you would typically expect. Look for specific terrain features such as very steep slopes below corniced ridges, the base of cliffs, confined chutes, and gullies as prime locations for triggering these lingering wind slabs. 

    Use visual clues such as textured surfaces and drifts around rocks and trees to identify wind slabs. You can also use your probe or pole to feel for stiffer snow over softer snow layers and use quick hand pits to observe how easily the wind-stiffened snow slides off deeper soft layers. If the surface snow slides easily or you see other signs of instability, such as shooting cracks, steer around these wind-stiffened drifts in steep terrain. 

    (2/8/2023)

    Wind texturing on this snow surface indicates wind slabs may be present. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

In favored areas near the Cascade Crest, 5-6 inches of snow accumulated along with strong winds throughout the day on Monday. Places further east did not quite get as much snow but were also not spared the strong winds. Wind speeds at Sedge Ridge, just outside Ahtanum Meadows, were sustained between 20-30mph until the early morning hours on Monday. Warm temperatures over the weekend dropped below freezing on Monday, and with the lack of significant new snow, these wet snow surfaces are refrozen and present challenging travel conditions. So anticipate slippery melt-freeze crusts and refrozen "chunder" under the forest canopy.

It is likely to be sunny on Tuesday, with daytime temperatures just a notch warmer than Monday. So small wet loose avalanches may run on steep southern terrain. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as initial signs that wet avalanches are possible. These slides typically initiate from snow shedding off steep rocks or tree bombs hitting steep slopes with wet surfaces, so keep an eye on the type of overhead terrain you're traveling beneath. 

The MLK crust remains a prominent marker in the upper snowpack. Last Wednesday, NWAC forecaster Joe Dellaporta found this layer 1-2' below the snow surface. While some weak snow is associated with the crust, snowpack tests where they traveled did not produce propagating test results. The weakest snow associated with this interface (rounding facets)was on shaded aspects (NW-N-NE) above 6500 ft.

Regions covered