Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You'll likely encounter generally safe avalanche conditions until you reach upper elevations, where it may be possible to trigger avalanches in wind-drifted snow. Warming conditions may also set the stage for some small wet avalanche activity on steep terrain closer to the Cascade Crest. Small avalanches can still pack a punch in bigger, consequential terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate to strong W-SW winds have drifted recent acculations into thin slabs across leeward terrain features at upper elevations. Most of these slabs will likely be small, but they could easily trigger if they form over weak snow surfaces or slick crusts from our January drought. Be the most suspicious of these slabs in steep, unsupported leeward terrain or where a small avalanche could easily push you into unwanted terrain. 

    You'll want to use visual clues to help you identify where the wind has been at work. Look for rippled snow surfaces, sharp cornices, and blowing snow to help you pinpoint nearby slabs. As you move through terrain, tweak small test slopes and use snowpack tests to gather information on slab reactivity. Cracks shooting out from your skis or feet are obvious clues that you found an unstable slab. 

     

    (1/9/2026)

    Drifts, wind lips, and rime pointing towards loaded slopes

     

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Flip-flopping freezing levels, some sun, and just enough recent accumulation in the western parts of the zone may set the stage for some wet loose avalanche activity in steep terrain, particularly on steep sun-exposed slopes near rocks. These won't be big, but these could run easily on the slick underlying crust. Default to less steep terrain if you notice rollerballs shedding, sticky snow surfaces, and sluffs fanning out below your feet or machine. 

    (12/28/2025)

    Small, natural wet loose avalanches in the Cement Basin area, Near rock bands, on sunny slopes are often the first place to begin seeing wet snow instability. 

    Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

This storm has not favored the Eastern Cascades. In most places, you'll likely encounter 1-2 inches of new snow and generally safe avalanche conditions. The moderate danger is driven by areas closer to the Cascade Crest that received more snowfall and to account for warming in these areas. Freezing levels are forecast to flip-flop on Thursday night through Friday, and we know snow doesn't like rapid change. With these warmer temperatures, the avalanche problems may blend between dry or wet or wet and dry, depending on elevation and aspect. Be observant and pay close attention as you change slopes. 

As you’d expect, the snowpack is highly aspect-dependent and varies widely in depth and coverage after three weeks of high pressure.  Most aspects that still have snow (E-S-W) have been through a solid melt-freeze cycle for over two weeks now. In these areas, expect a melt-freeze crust that will vary in thickness depending on elevation and aspect. Northerly aspects are a mix of thin, decomposing crusts, near-surface faceted snow, and old firm drifted snow. Low elevations and steep sun-exposed terrain have struggled to build a snowpack and have melted down to bareground or thin, patchy coverage. 

If you head out, we could use the observations in this zone. Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here. 

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