Bollettino valanghe

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto last year. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Where new snow previously fell, you could encounter small slabs of wind-transported snow. If you plan to recreate in exposed and complex terrain, investigate for instability where the snow is uneven and textured or where cornices have developed. Shooting cracks, collapsing, and recent slab avalanches are good reasons to pull back into more sheltered terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This problem will be most apparent in the northern end of the zone where 2-3" of new snow fell Sunday night into Monday with strong wind. The zone may see another inch or two throughout the day, which would add to older slabs. Slabs will be the more sensitive on the northern end of the aspect dial and at upper elevations. Other areas along the Cascade Crest also picked up a small amount of precipitation, and wind slabs are probably lurking, but they will be very small. This problem doesn't currently exist on the eastern end of the zone, but a larger storm moves through in the 2-5 pm time frame on Tuesday that could begin changing conditions before the day is over.

    Wind slabs typically form just below ridgelines and on exposed convexities and gullies. Visual clues such as rippled snow surfaces, sharp drifts, and dunes will help you identify where the wind has transported snow. Another dusting may obscure some of these surfaces but blowing snow will help point the way if that's the case. Although unlikely to bury you, a small avalanche could knock you over and take you for an unenjoyable ride.

    (2/16/2025)

    This small, natural wind slab occurred on Sunday just outside the Mission Ridge Ski Area. We suspect it was triggered by a cornice fall. 

    SS-N-R1-D1.5

    Photo: Adam Vognild (Mission Ridge Ski Patrol)

Avalanche Discussion

More hazardous avalanche conditions are regulated to rather specific areas, and any new slabs should be small. All in all, it will probably feel like a pretty safe day on Tuesday. Still, it just isn't "Low" out there where new snow fell. The elevated hazard lies in a few considerations. Many slabs could have formed over crusts which slabs will be having trouble bonding to. Furthermore, crusts often act as slick sliding surfaces, so this specific wind slab problem could be taking longer to heal. These crusts will also be slippery for you should you trigger an avalanche and get knocked over. Other variable surfaces were previously observed prior to new snow, including surface hoar, which could also be a problem layer. Ultimately, just take a bit of time to investigate the slope you plan to ski or ride and consider the consequences before diving in.

The sun might poke through the clouds on Tuesday morning. Any new dry snow infiltrated by sunshine will rapidly warm and destabilize. Be on the lookout for moistening, sticky snow surfaces and the increased potential for a small wet loose avalanche. 

In the adjacent zone to the north, persistent slabs continue to be an issue. 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. When in doubt, you can default to simpler terrain that is planar and short.

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

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