Bulletin d’avalanche

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Mon
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré last year. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

It's been a windy storm, so expect reactive slabs of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain. Look and feel for wind-stiffened surfaces and steer around steep, wind-loaded start zones. During sunny periods, keep an eye out for small wet avalanches on south-facing slopes. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    Its been a windy storm and slabs are sensitive across the eastern mountains. Due to these strong winds, you may find these wind slabs further down slope or on mid-slope convexities. With continued overnight loading, expect these slabs to be most sensitive during the morning hours. 

    These slabs will often lurk on the downwind sides of ridges, below cornices, or beneath cliffbands and in gully features. You can use visual clues like blowing snow or looking for rippled, textured surfaces to help you identify where the wind has been at work. Shooting cracks under your feet or machine are good reasons to dial it back. Give steep, wind loaded features another day or two before jumping into bigger terrain. 

    Additional Discussion:

    If you travel in the western parts of the zone that received more new snow, be mindful of lingering storm slab instabilities in steep or unsupported terrain. 

    (2/1/2025)

    Blowing snow, fresh drifts, sharp cornices, and rime all point towards wind loading along this ridgeline. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

A wide range of snow totals fell across the East Central mountains on Saturday. In typical fashion, the western areas like Salmon La Sac picked up over 9 inches, while eastern areas around Mission Ridge picked up 3 inches. However, the common theme across all weather stations was the strong SW winds. Backcountry observations were limited on Saturday, but avalanche professionals around Mission Ridge reported fresh cornice formation and sensitive, shallow wind slabs along mid-slope features off the ridge. 

It has been a fairly dynamic few days in the backcountry. Before the storm on Wednesday, an NWAC Forecaster traveling in the Salmon La Sac drainage found fairly reactive and widespread 3-7" slabs sliding on a melt freeze crust formed around 03/05. You can read the full observation here. After the storm on Thursday, Mission Ridge Ski Patrol reported touchy conditions, releasing up to 2 ft deep wind slabs during morning control work. These slabs were also sliding on the same crust. With the lull being short-lived, approach the backcountry with continued caution on Friday.

Persistent slabs continue to be an issue in the adjacent zone to the north. While we’ve put this problem to bed in the East Central, it’s worth considering in very northern portions or more far-flung parts of the zone. To reduce your risk, you can default to simpler terrain that is planar and short.

You can help us gather more data by submitting an observation HERE or via the Avy App.

Régions couvertes