Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Highlights

Light snowfall combined with persistent southerly winds will drift fresh snow at mid and upper elevations on Saturday.  Use caution near steep lee slopes that are actively being wind-loaded.  Be wary of shady aspects where stiffer wind-drifted snow may have layered over older weaker snow surfaces.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Use caution when travelling near and below ridgelines with freshly drifted snow.  Blowing snow will point towards suspect leeward slopes. Steer around freshly drifted pillows that form on steep lee slopes. While shallow, these new slabs of snow might be easier to trigger than you'd expect if they layer over older, weaker snow. 

    Use small test slopes to assess the bond between new wind-drifted snow and the old snow surface.  Shooting cracks in wind-stiffened snow should direct you away from similar steep slopes. 

    (12/6/2025)

    A skier triggered avalanche in wind-loaded terrain from earlier this season near Blue Lake. 6700ft, NW. SS-AS-D1.5-I

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

We'll get another crack at some new snow and wind Friday night and Saturday, with fair confidence we'll see 3-5" of new snow and moderate southerly winds. A bit of upsloping should bring a few inches of new snow to lower elevations and sagebrush country as well. 

Backcountry travelers north of Goat Peak on New Year's Day found a new crust on sunny aspects on up to 6000', with soft snow on shady aspects.  Far to the east, an observer near Mt Tiffany reported whumfing collapses and layering that could be problematic for avalanches with additional loading. If you're in terrain with 3 feet or less of dry snow, take time to dig a snow pit. If you see obviously strong-over-weak layers and snowpack tests that fail suddenly, consider sticking to slopes under 35 degrees. 

Highway workers and contractor crews have finished their work on Highway 20, east of Early Winters Campground, woo-hoo! Observations in this part of the zone have been extremely limited thus far.  Challenging creek crossings, downed trees and other post-December storm cycle impacts are still impacting access.  If you're out - we want to hear from you - please submit an observation.  

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