Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Expect dangerous conditions at upper elevations, where the wind forms deep snow drifts. Stay out from under large overhead slopes, as natural avalanches could come down from above. Keep an eye out for areas where the rain falls on new snow, as these locations could also hold dangerous wet avalanche conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme gusts will drift the new snow as it falls in the highest terrain. Wind slabs could develop at middle elevations, though they'll also overlap with wet snow and rain. You can minimize your risk by staying off of steep, leeward slopes and terrain features. Watch out for deeply drifted pillows of snow. If you see recent avalanches or cracks shooting through the snow, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees.

    (12/6/2025)

    A skier-triggered wind slab avalanche from last week near Blue Lake. 6700ft, WNW. SS-AS-D1.5-I

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches could be dangerous if you find middle- and upper-elevation slopes that get wet from rain after significant new snow accumulates. At most elevations, rain will fall directly on the old snow, making wet avalanches more difficult to trigger or less reactive. If you see fresh avalanches or encounter wet, unconsolidated snow, move to lower-angle slopes to minimize your risk of triggering a slide.

    Earlier this week, the snowpack saw significant rain and warming temperatures, followed by periods of freezing.  This has reduced our concern for wet avalanches in the old snow.

    (12/11/2025)

    A very large wet avalanche above Hart's Pass Road. This likely ran between Dec 9-11th.

    Photo: Justin O’Hara

Avalanche Discussion

Another potent and warm storm will impact the East North zone with strong winds and significant precipitation. For Washington Pass, we expect between 1.5-2" of water equivalent and snow levels between 6,500-7,500ft before temperatures drop Monday night.The mountains of this zone managed to withstand the warm temperatures for most of the storms since December 5th. The snowpack grew substantially (+30-50 inches). Rain likely reached above 6800ft on Wednesday night for multiple hours. Observers reported large natural avalanches near Washington Pass on Tuesday and near Hart's Pass, both on Tuesday and Thursday. 

Flooding, washouts, and landslides have affected many communities. Numerous mudslides and debris piles currently block access to the Silverstar gate on Hwy 20 as well as Hart's Pass road. Expect difficult access and challenging travel at low elevations. Information has been limited to weather station data for a few days, and our confidence in the forecast is lower than usual. 

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

Regions covered