Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Slab or loose snow avalanches are possible just about anywhere, making it hard to completely rule out a steep slope from being dangerous. For a safer and more enjoyable day in the backcountry, steer around steep features and complex terrain to find high quality powder skiing on sheltered, low angle slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2

    In areas closer to the Cascade Crest that have received more than 1 foot of new snow and counting, you could trigger an avalanche that fails on weak layers below. Slabs could be particularly sensitive on rollovers or convexities or where the wind has made them deeper and denser. This type of avalanche can break in surprising ways, wider than expected, and from flat terrain. It is unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche on south and southwest aspects, but we lack the certainty to completely rule it out right now.

    Pay attention to the depth and cohesiveness of the surface snow. This will help you determine how much new snow there is as well as if the snow has been wind-affected. Cracking, collapsing (whumpfing), and recent slab avalanches are clear indicators that instability exists. Rippled, uneven snow surfaces and blowing snow will point you toward wind-loaded slopes. Ultimately, persistent slab avalanches are tricky to manage; your best bet is to just stick to low-angle terrain free of overhead hazards.

    (2/1/2025)

    This intentionally triggered persistent slab in the West South zone propagated the entire width of the feature. It failed on facets over a thin crust. ENE, 6200ft, SS-ASc-D2-R3-O, 20-24 in deep, 200 ft wide.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Dry

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

    All of this new and recent snow is very soft and dry, so it often lacks bonding and cohesion. Expect to see sluffs of dry snow anywhere throughout the zone, but this problem is more apparent closer to the Cascade Crest. Dry loose avalanches start at a point and entrain more snow as they move downhill and fan out. Although small, you could get knocked over and pushed over hazards such as rocks and cliffs. Be mindful of terrain traps below you and avoid this problem by steering around steep rollovers or gullies.

    (1/31/2025)

    Skiers easily triggered dry loose avalanches like in this photos over the weekend in the East North zone.

    Photo: Chris Bartram

Avalanche Discussion

We have transitioned storm instabilities into a persistent slab avalanche problem. We have multiple reports of whumpfing from over the weekend within the zone, as well as triggered persistent slab avalanches in nearby zones. That being said, the zone will see another 2-5 inches of new snow Tuesday night into Wednesday, so keep your wind slab goggles on. These avalanches will range from small to large depending on how much new and recent snow there is. Backcountry travelers triggered a small wind slab avalanche in Icicle Creek on Tuesday. 

You don't need to enter avalanche terrain to determine if the snowpack is unstable. However, persistent slab avalanches sometimes don't give you feedback until it's too late. Give yourself wider safety margins and put together a conservative route plan for the day while we give the snowpack some time to adjust to its new load. There is plenty of amazing skiing and riding in "cold smoke" pow to be had on low angle slopes!

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