Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche hazard only exists where snow recently accumulated on the western side of the zone. Direct sunshine will develop sticky snow that could become weak enough to get you into a sticky situation. You probably won't get buried, but the consequences of being carried downhill are big if you hit one of many exposed hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    In areas that received recent snow, it will become possible to trigger small avalanches in very steep terrain as the day progresses. There will likely be a surface crust that has to break down first. When you begin to notice that you're sinking into moistened snow, or you see fresh rollerballs falling down from cliff bands or your own equipment, mark that as a sign that this problem is turning on. Although avalanches will be small, there are plenty of exposed hazards in the terrain right now that you could be carried over, especially on southerly slopes. If you don't like the perceived consequences of being carried down a particular slope, you can choose more sun sheltered terrain to descend instead.

    (2/5/2026)

    An avalanche this size probably won't bury you, but being carried into an exposed creek definitely wouldn't be a pleasant experience!

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

East siders who have been living under a haze of low clouds nearly every day for what seems like the entire year were treated to full sun at all elevations on Tuesday. Wednesday will be a repeat and the warmest day of the week so far. It will be a great day to get out and enjoy the sunshine before we (fingers crossed!!) start looking towards a true return to winter by next week.

Last weekend's modest storm brought 4-6 inches of new snow to areas immediately adjacent to the Crest. An NWAC forecaster traveling near Van Epps Pass on Sunday confirmed this, reporting 6 inches of snow at 6900ft. Any wind slabs that formed over the 02/07 interface have trended to unlikely. Take a moment to investigate for lingering instability if you're stepping out into extreme high elevation terrain. The 02/07 interface presents as a crust in most places and can be quite a slick bed surface at times.

Recent snow accumulation is less at middle elevations, but not none. While it's not quite enough to create a bonafide wet loose avalanche problem, don't be surprised if you are able to push some unstable wet snow at this elevation band. Use it as a clue that conditions are more dangerous higher up. Wet snow will also be sliding on the 02/07 interface.

Low elevation terrain, southerly slopes, and areas to the east of the zone have painfully thin coverage. There are a lot of exposed hazards in the terrain that you don't normally see at this point in the winter. These include rocks, open creeks, and downed logs. You'd be in for a painful ride if you were to be carried in a small avalanche over any of these. Where there’s snow, it may be wet and mushy, icy, or have breakable crusts. This creates its own host of travel hazards. Give yourself extra time and precaution to manage these “early season” conditions.

Regions covered