Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

There is significant variability from west to east in the zone. You may be able to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow at upper elevations. These slides may be larger in areas close to the Cascade crest, particularly the Salmon la Sac area, where more new snow accumulated. Travel cautiously and make observations before committing to steep terrain in wind-affected areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs from the recent storm may have formed over weak snow grains in alpine areas on northerly aspects. And while much of the East Central zone didn't receive enough snow for this to be a significant problem. Areas near the crest, particularly in the Salmon la Sac drainage, may have seen snow totals closer to those of Snoqualmie Pass. The Salmon la Sac area may even continue to see snow accumulations into the morning hours of Wednesday. If you find more than 8 inches of fresh snow over the Early March Crust, be especially cautious of traveling on northerly aspects near ridgelines in steep terrain above 5500ft as you may be able to trigger an avalanche large enough to bury or kill you. There is uncertainty and variability with the distribution of these weak faceted snow grains. Similar slopes may react differently, so enter new terrain slowly and make observations before committing to complex or steep terrain.Significantly less snow fell in areas further east in the zone. However, if you travel to alpine areas, look for signs of instability in wind affected terrain. Shooting cracks, feeling the snowpack collapse beneath you, or recent avalanche activity are all bullseye signs of an unstable slope. You can also dig down quickly to observe if the snow slides easily off the crust and look for weak snow just above the crust. If the snow easily slides on the crust, you find it weak snow, or see other signs of instability stick to conservative terrain with lower angle slopes.

    Example of wind slab in alpine terrain.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Even with cooler temperatures on Wednesday, the recent snow may get warm and wet quickly in the strong March sunshine. You may want to consider traveling on sunny slopes in the morning hours before the sun has a chance to make wet loose avalanches possible on steep slopes. If you see rollerballs, small natural wet loose avalanches, or find yourself sinking deeply into heavy wet snow, it will be best to head towards shady terrain or stick to lower angle slopes.

    (3/14/2022) Small loose wet slide in motion. Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

We are at the tail end of a significant storm. While the snowpack is likely settling, it will still be important to approach new terrain with an assessment mindset and make observations before committing to steeper slopes. Stability throughout the zone may vary significantly, and while the new snow may have bonded well in some locations, other areas harbor sensitive avalanche conditions. The warm temperatures associated with the storm kept new snow accumulations minimal at elevations below 4500ft. Weak faceted snow, sometimes overlying thick crusts, has been documented on sheltered northern aspects in alpine terrain near the crest of the East Central and neighboring Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes. Before the storm, I traveled to Red Top Lookout near Blewett Pass and couldn't find faceted snow over the crust from early March at elevations up to 5,300ft. However, further west and at higher elevations, the snowpack could be quite different, with the weak structure described above. Various challenging surface conditions exist at lower elevations, such as shallowly buried avalanche debris and thin snow cover. A widespread avalanche cycle occurred throughout the Cascades on the 28th-March 1st and left plenty of large piles of debris to navigate.

Regions covered