Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Loose avalanches can run on any steep slope receiving direct sun.  You are most likely to trigger a wind slab near ridgelines or below terrain features like cliff bands.  Within the zone, the hazard will highest near the Cascade crest and lowest further east and at lower elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Following several cool cloudy days with snowfall,  wet loose avalanches will be ready to go with some spring sunshine and a bump in freezing levels. If you see rollerballs or pinwheels release naturally on very steep sunny slopes or below rock faces, or find yourself sinking into wet surface snow more than ankle deep, it's time to change aspect or move to lower angle terrain.  There's a chance that high clouds could dampen the sun's impact, so keep an eye on how sky conditions change throughout the day.   Wet loose avalanches may become large and more consequential closer to the Cascade crest where more snow has recently accumulated. 

    Loose dry avalanches are possible on very steep slopes in northerly or shaded terrain.  Don't let either type of loose avalanche catch you by surprise around terrain traps.   

    (3/11/2021) Example natural loose wet avalanches. On the right side, you can also see an old crown from a deep slab avalanche that ran in late February. Rock Mtn, SE, 6,400ft

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recently formed wind slabs are likely to be found at upper elevations and on the lee side of ridgelines and below cliffs bands where spindrifts have deposited recent snowfall.  As you travel, feel for textured wind-affected snow as you change aspect and elevation.   Wind slabs may be easier to trigger on northerly aspects where they built over weaker, older snow.  They are more likely to have formed in the western part of the zone where more snow has recently accumulated.

    If traveling along ridgelines with large cornices make sure to stay well back from the edge.  Travelers are surprised every season when cornices break further back than they expect.  Cornice fall could trigger an avalanche on the slope below.

    (3/22/2021) Visible wind affect below Van Epps Peak. Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

A winter-like storm brought strong westerly winds to the East Central zone Sunday night and Monday with widely ranging snow totals across the zone.  Close to the Cascade crest, 6- 8" of new snow accumulated through Monday morning with blowing snow visible along ridgelines.  Observers reported a large cornice had failed naturally Sunday night and triggered a slab on the slope below in the Fortune Creek-Van Epps Peak area.  Near and east of Tumwater Canyon to the Wenatchee Mission Ridge area, an inch or less accumulated with this recent storm. Wind-affected snow and blowing snow were observed near and below ridgelines in the Enchantments over the weekend. 

A crust and adjacent weak layer formed in mid-January can still be found about 2-6 feet below the surface throughout most of the zone.  Several different avalanche cycles released down to this interface, with the last cycle producing avalanches up to size D4.  Avalanches down to this layer are now unlikely with the last known avalanche down to the mid-Jan crust/facet combo recorded on March 1st.  We're watching the upcoming weather pattern for major warm-ups or storm events to see when and if these deeper layers will be tested again. The most suspect areas for deep persistent slabs are shallow, rocky, and unsupported slopes, especially where overhead cornice fall could trigger avalanches.

Regions covered