Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Saturday will be a windy day with enough fresh snow to form unstable wind-drifts where you could trigger an avalanche. Most avalanches are likely to be small, but an isolated avalanche large enough to bury you is also possible. Steep slopes below corniced ridgelines at upper elevations will be the most suspect slopes to avoid. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds will be more prominent than the storm snow totals, so you will likely find fresh wind slabs at mid and upper elevations. Recent observations of slick crusts and weak snow surfaces could make these avalanches sensitive to triggering. 

    Actively drifting snow, fresh cornice formations, and textured surfaces are great visual clues to recognize wind-affected slopes. Small test slopes that produce shooting cracks or mini avalanches and any natural avalanche activity are signs of unstable snow. We expect these avalanches to be small but could have high consequences depending on the terrain and the number of exposed obstacles beneath you. Steep exposed ridgelines with confined rocky features could also result in some isolated large and more dangerous avalanches, particularly above 6500ft. Steer around steep slopes where you identify wind-drifted snow or consider choosing wind-sheltered terrain for recreation. 

    The south-easterly component of this storm may result in slightly higher snow totals further east in the zone, in areas like the Chelan Sawtooths, Tiffany Mountain area, and Loup Loup. 

    (11/26/2024)

    Shooting cracks like in this photo are a bullseye sign of unstable snow. Notice the textured surface, indicating wind-affected snow. 

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday night brought just an inch or so of snow to the East North zone. We will likely wring out a few more on Friday and Saturday, but snow totals won't be particularly impressive. You can likely expect just 5-8 inches with favorable snow-water ratios. Gusty winds will be the primary story for this weather pattern and despite the modest snow totals, windy conditions will make it feel like quite a stormy day in the mountains on Saturday. 

Observations have been few and far between, but generally stable conditions were found midweek following last weekend's storm (Dec 7/8th) that started warm and ended as snow.  The 12/7 melt-freeze crust should be 6-12" below the surface in sheltered areas closer to Washington Pass.  No avalanches have been reported over the last few days.  Steeper southerly aspects at mid and upper elevations likely have a thin crust at or near the surface, while drier snow can be found on shady, sheltered aspects. Take care as you travel - many early-season obstacles, such as trees, rocks, logs, and creeks, are exposed or sometimes barely hidden in areas and elevations with low snow.

You can contribute to the avalanche forecast. Please let us know what you see in the mountains by submitting an observation. 

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