Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent storms favored the East South Zone where the snow continues to accumulate, even below treeline where many slopes were bare for much of the winter. Avalanches in wind-drifted snow remain the primary concern, and shifting winds continue to form fresh slabs in unusual locations. Be leery of large open slopes greater than 35 degrees, especially those with signs of recent wind-loading.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The East South Zone received 1-3ft of snow over the past week, and another 2-6in could accumulate over the next 24 hours as winds shift from east to south. All the recent snow sits on the prominent 4/8 crust. Winds blew from the east over the past few days creating atypical loading patterns. Wind slabs likely formed in unusual locations, and may extend further downslope than what you commonly see. On Monday, NWAC staff near the border of the East and West South zones easily triggered wind slabs on opposing aspects along a ridge. Incoming snow and wind may form fresh slabs or thicken existing slabs. Use visual clues like blowing snow, textured surfaces or cornices to help you identify and avoid nearby wind-loaded slopes.  

    (4/11/2022) Wind slabs were found in some unusual spots. Fresh slabs were observed on slopes often stripped by the wind. Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Dry

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

    Plenty of cold, dry snow remains loose and cohesionless and could be triggered easily by a rider in steep, unsupported terrain. These sluffs will likely remain small, but once in motion, they could trigger slabs resulting in larger avalanches. Even a small dry loose sluff could be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or burries you in confined terrain. Don't underestimate these potential avalanches, and seek out supported features and slopes with clean runouts.

    (4/10/2022)

    Example photo of a small dry loose sluff near Stevens Pass.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Friday should be wintery and snowy, but we can't rule out the possibility of a few afternoon sun breaks. If you see rollerballs or the snow becomes moist and heavy in the strong April sun, you should consider moving to lower-angle or shady slopes. Spring weather in the Cascades is notoriously tricky and can change rapidly. If you are out adventuring during the long days, keep your senses tuned into the snow and look for signs of deteriorating snow stability. Even brief sun breaks can quickly cause wet loose or dry loose avalanche problems. Access into areas of the East South with a consistent snowpack has become challenging, and therefore direct observations from the zone are limited. However, snow is piling up on the 4/8 Crust and stability test results in nearby White Pass show variable results on this interface. This crust is now 1-4 feet deep, and it is worth digging down to investigate this interface before committing to any steep terrain. Some southern slopes that were recently snow-free up to 5700ft may now have over a foot of snow. Use extra caution in these lower elevations where obstacles may be lurking just under the new snow, and creek holes may be drifted over or hidden.

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