Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

Another warm, sunny day is forecasted for Friday and you could still trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes. If you feel the snow becoming wet and heavy, move to lower angle terrain. Also, avoid lingering beneath overhung cornices or steep rocks still holding snow. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Temperatures will be even warmer on Friday. Surface crusts will be more robust, but you could still trigger wet avalanches as they break down in the sun. Wet avalanches on shady terrain may also be possible with even warmer temperatures. We expect avalanches could be larger in areas near the Cascade Crest, which received higher snowfall totals. Move to lower-angle terrain if you feel the surface snow becoming wet, heavy, or sticking to your equipment. Wet avalanches may run naturally from trees or rocks shedding snow above you, so be aware of overhead terrain. Consider finding shady terrain for recreation in dry snow with a lower likelihood of avalanches. 

    A rogue glide or wet slab avalanche off steep rocky terrain or grassy slopes is also a consideration. Avoid lingering underneath glide cracks, cliffs, or overhung cornices. These overhead hazards may fail naturally as things heat up and are hazards all on their own. However, a large trigger, such as a cornice fall, may also trigger a slab avalanche on the slope below.

    (2/24/2025)

    Loose wet avalanche (D1) in Tumwater Canyon

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

As we continue this spring-like weather, expect variability throughout the zone and aspect-dependent surface conditions. More recent snow and the potential for larger wet avalanches closer to the Cascade Crest, breakable crusts of varying thickness on west, south, and east aspects, and dry snow on northern slopes at upper elevations. We expect that with warmer temperatures, surface crusts will break down quickly. Plan your day so you can move off of and out from under steep sunny terrain by early afternoon. 

On Tuesday, the East Central Zone picked up between 5 and 10 inches of snow above 4000ft, with higher snow totals closer to the Cascade Crest. Strong to extreme winds accompanied this storm, and Mission Ridge Summit Weather Station recorded gusts to 115mph. Moving into Wednesday, recently formed wind and storm slabs were stubborn, but you may find lingering instabilities in very steep, unsupported alpine terrain. Make frequent assessments and consider the consequences of triggering even a small avalanche in this type of terrain. 

Tuesday's snow and wind created sensitive wind and storm slabs throughout the area. A large natural wind slab in the Icicle Creek Drainage released in a wet snow layer below the recent snow. In this heavily wind-loaded area the avalanche was 2-3 feet deep. At Mission Ridge Ski Area, ski patrol reported sensitive 6-8inch, widely propagating avalanches during avalanche mitigation work. Over the weekend, a widespread wet, loose avalanche cycle occurred on Blewett Pass, closing the highway for a few hours on Sunday. A similar cycle occurred, closing Tumwater Canyon on Monday. On the 23rd, observers from the Holden area reported widespread natural slab and wet loose avalanches. Some were very large and may have run on the January Drought layer.

We suspect that after this big warm-up, with rain to over 6600ft, those deeper, weak layers may no longer be an issue for avalanches. But if you're traveling to more obscure places in the zone or at elevations above the rain/snow line (approximately 7000ft), this layering should still factor into your uncertainty and travel decisions. 

Submit an observation to help NWAC Forecasters reduce uncertainty. It can be short, simple, and even anonymous. 

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