Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches at upper elevations where new snow and wind form fresh slabs of snow. Look for cracking in the snow and plumes of blowing snow to show you where you could trigger these avalanches. The new snow will be moist at low elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Light snow and southwest winds should increase through the day on Sunday. By afternoon, you could trigger shallow wind slab avalanches on leeward slopes steeper than 35 degrees. 

    Blowing snow will help you identify which aspects are actively being loaded.  Other clues to these avalanches are long shooting cracks or observing stiffer snow as you move higher in terrain.  If you're unsure, stick to lower angle and more sheltered terrain away from ridgelines.

    (2/9/2024)

    Skiers triggered a very small (6" deep) windslab avalanche that ran on the 1/31 crust. Copper Creek, SE, 7200ft

    Photo: Harry Keane

Avalanche Discussion

Check the new/old interface to see how well the storm snow is bonding. You may find a recent, thin crust just under the surface on steep, sunny slopes.

On Thursday, NWAC forecasters and avalanche professionals found 8-10"(20-25cm) of settled, dry snow at upper elevations over the stout 1/31 crust. Favored upper elevation terrain held as much as 1.5' (45cm) over the crust, while lower elevations had as little as 2". Small facets were found in some locations just above the 1/31 crust.

Below the 1/31 crust, most of the snowpack got moist or wet during the late January rain event. The December facet, crust layer is no longer a concern for avalanches. In the eastern mountians, the snowpack is shallow below 5,000ft. Snowpack information is limited outside of the Highway 20 corridor, including Harts Pass, the Chelan Sawtooths, and near and east of Mazama. If you're traveling in these areas, let us know what you find by submitting an observation.

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