Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist.  However, as new snow starts falling, keep an eye out for small pockets of wind drifted snow near ridgelines and above treeline. Don’t let a small avalanche surprise you in consequential terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A skiff of new snow and a good dose of strong winds may build isolated, small wind slabs above treeline. These slabs will likely stay small but could be larger in areas that get more snow closer to the Cascade crest. You can typically find these wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgelines, below cornices, or under rock and cliff bands. Fortunately, you easily navigate around this problem avoiding slopes that look ‘fat’ or textured. Also, paying attention to visual clues such as blowing snow can help you identify slopes of concern.

    (1/22/2023)

    You may notice shallow instabilties like this at upper elevations or areas closer to the crest on Sunday . 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The main story for Sunday will likely be the gusty southwest winds, however you may notice light snow accumulations across the zone. You’ll find more precipitation the closer you are to the Cascade crest, so consider reading the west south forecast if you find yourself recreating closer to White or Chinook Pass. 

Information has been sparse across the east south. We suspect spring is really starting to leave its mark across the zone. You’ll likely encounter shallow travel at lower elevations, but still find a deeper snowpack trying to transition to spring at upper elevations. We have a bit of uncertainty regarding the upper elevation snowpack. However, in the nearby West South zone a very large slab avalanche recently ran near the western edge of the east south (see photo below). This slide started beneath a ridgeline as a wide avalanche then stepped down to a much deeper old layer. The character and size of this avalanche was unusual and may have been an outlier, but it still emphasizes that the mountains and specifically headwall/cirque type terrain like this are inherently dangerous. This is the last avalanche forecast of the season. Mountain weather forecasts will continue through the month of April. You can help your backcountry community by continuing to submit observations of avalanches, snow, and pertinent weather to our site.  Have a fun and safe spring recreating in the mountains! Thanks for a great winter!

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