Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If you plan to travel to areas closer to the Cascade Crest, particularly the Salmon La Sac, traveling in avalanche terrain at upper elevations is not recommended. Elsewhere, avalanche hazard is Considerable at upper and middle elevations. With strong wind and snow impacting the zone, keep your route plan simple. Avoid steep exposed terrain where you see signs of wind-transported snow and experience long shooting cracks from your equipment or audible collapsing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The higher in elevation you travel, the more likely it will be to find terrain that a wind slab will have formed in. But with strong wind speeds, you could encounter wind affected snow lower down on slopes than you might expect. With shifty wind directions throughout the week, older and largely unreactive slabs may exist on a wide variety of slopes, but deeper and fresher slabs will probably be found mostly on north and east facing terrain. The likelihood of triggering a large avalanche is lower in areas further east, such as the Wenatchees.

    Wind slabs typically form just below ridgelines and in gully or chute-shaped terrain features. Look for clear signs of wind transport: dune-like drifts, cornice formation, and blowing snow. As you move about the terrain and the snow underneath you begins to feel denser and look unevenly distributed, assume wind slabs probably lurk nearby. In addition to cracking and collapsing, recent natural slab avalanches are very good reasons to avoid exposed terrain steeper than 35 degrees.

    If you plan to travel to upper elevation terrain close to the Crest, stick to sheltered terrain less than 35 degrees. Lower down, approach steep, unsupported terrain with some suspicion, as storm slab instabilities may also exist. You can push around in a simple hand pit or on an inconsequential test slope to help gauge the reactivity of the recent storm snow.

    (3/18/2025)

    A small sledder triggered wind slab avalanche in the Salmon La Sac last weekend. SS-AMu-R1-D1-O

    Photo: Evan Pearson

Avalanche Discussion

Another spring day, another winter storm. The East Central is forecasted to receive around 3 inches of new snow on the eastern end and potentially over 1 foot on the western end. This is a wide range and more snow in one storm than this zone typically sees for the higher end of those snow totals. Looking back at the last week, a report of someone getting caught and carried in an avalanche came in for five consecutive days. Two of these involvements happened in the East Central zone. All of this stands to serve as a good reminder that we must ease into terrain after stormy periods, regardless of the circumstances. Ultimately, make like the Bottom Line and have a simple Plan A. Create a route that gives you the option to stay in lower angle, sheltered terrain. If the stars align, Plan B can allow for very cautiously stepping out. 

Persistent slabs are still on the watch list in the adjacent zone to the north as the snowpack continues to receive new loading. 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.

Submit an observation to the website or the Avy App to help NWAC Forecasters reduce uncertainty. It can be short, simple, and even anonymous. 

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