Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can still trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes greater than 35 degrees.  Give yourself some extra space from these steep slopes until cooler weather arrives.  Don't let the avalanche grinch ruin your Christmas!

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sunday will be the 3rd day with above freezing temperatures and lingering light rain, which will continue to weaken the snowpack throughout the East-South. Snow surfaces will be moist, especially at mid and upper elevations where it has been the warmest, so it may be easy for you to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes.  Lower elevations have remained colder, but that should change with warm west flow filtering in.  At these lower elevations, you may encounter freezing rain crusts that may limit the avalanche hazard, but create nasty travel conditions. 

    Watch for roller-balls and pinwheels as signs of wet and weak snow surfaces, and steer away from steep slopes during periods of rain. Even though these avalanches may start small and run slowly, they could grow large as they move downslope and create nasty debris piles. 

    Wet loose avalanches may not be the only problem you may encounter. Wet slabs are worth considering, especially if you travel in upper elevations areas that have a deeper snowpack and warm temperatures. 

     

    (1/16/2022)

    Wet loose avalanches like this may be easily triggered on Christmas day. 

    Photo: Public Observation

Avalanche Discussion

Rain.…not the Christmas present we were all hoping for.  If you head out, you’ll likely encounter wet snow, freezing rain crusts, and in-general challenging travel conditions.  As previously mentioned, these wet snow avalanche problem types are tough to forecast for.  When dealing with these wet snow problems, give yourself extra space from steep slopes that can avalanche.  

If you do decide to venture out, let us know what you see by submitting an observation on our public observation platform!  

Merry Christmas and thanks for reading!

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