Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Sunday, you could trigger wet avalanches on steep, open slopes. Use caution where a slide could push you into consequential features like cliffs or trees. Check the upper snowpack to see how moist or frozen the snow is and how easily it slides. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will be most likely in steep, open terrain where the recent snow is on a smooth crust. Use caution on very steep slopes where a small avalanche could push you into terrain traps like rocks, trees, or creeks. Check how easily the new and recent snow slides as you move through the mountains. It may be difficult to trigger these avalanches on many slopes that lack sufficient snow, where surfaces are really rough, or where the recent snow is frozen.

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday will have dynamic conditions, but the range of possible snow conditions won't greatly impact the avalanche danger. You can expect 2-4" of snow during the day, falling with relatively warm temperatures. The wind will be strong enough to drift the new snow. If you manage to get to upper elevations, keep wind slab avalanches in mind. They likely will not be of consequence, aside from possibly near the Cascade Crest, close to 7,000ft. The recent snow (2" in the Wenatchees and up to 8" at the Cascade Crest) may be partially frozen after getting moist on Saturday. Check to see how all this recent snow slides on the underlying crust that was buried on the 28th, and can be found within a foot of the surface.

On Saturday, an NWAC forecaster in the Teanaway drainage reported that loose wet avalanches ran naturally and were easy to trigger at middle and upper elevations. Around 8" of moist snow slid easily on the January Drought crust.  

There's dry ground across many low-elevation or south-facing slopes, reminiscent of early-season conditions. Some areas, like the Wenatchees, lack consistent snow coverage for on-snow recreation altogether. Plan ahead for challenging travel and keep an eye out for exposed obstacles and open creeks.

Regions covered