Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and wind will have built small but surprising slabs of wind drifted snow on downwind slopes at upper elevations. Be more cautious around steep slopes where you could be knocked over and carried into cliffs, rocks, and trees below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Any slab formation in new snow is happening over weak snow and slick crusts. So, despite being very small, avalanches could be surprisingly reactive. Wind slabs typically form just below exposed ridgelines. If you plan to recreate in this kind of terrain, you can look for signs of wind drift, such as active drifting along ridgelines, textured/uneven surfaces, and fresh cornice/wind lip formation. Wind-drifted snow is clearly unstable if you see long shooting cracks from your equipment or natural avalanches. Jump on a small test slope to see how easily the new snow slides. An avalanche probably won't be big enough to bury you, but given our low snowpack and the abundance of exposed hazards, the consequences of being caught and carried are increased.

    In sheltered terrain, new snow may slide easily on the old snow surface. So small but fast-running dry loose avalanches could also be a concern in steep terrain. 

    (12/7/2025)

    You might see small wind lips and pillowy surfaces such as these features on Fifes Ridge that indicated wind loading.

     

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

A delayed storm track, finicky weather station data, and no recent observations have us a little April Fooled as to avalanche conditions in East South. A few inches of snow likely fell at upper elevations on Wednesday. Another inch will fall Thursday night, accompanied by increasing wind. Wind speeds will remain elevated on Thursday after snowfall has ended. You'll probably encounter much more wintry conditions as you get to upper elevations on Thursday.

An NWAC forecaster out in the East Central zone on Tuesday found a poor bond with the 3/25 crust and weak, faceted snow on the surface on northerly terrain at upper elevations. Over the weekend, at nearby White Pass, an NWAC forecaster reported roughly 6 inches of new snow on shaded aspects, triggering small pockets of wind slabs on those same aspects.  They reported variable, often breakable travel on E-S-W aspects.  Expect less recent snow in the East South, but you may find similar, softer riding conditions on northerlies, with variable travel on other aspects. With additional snowfall on Wednesday, this could become a perfect setup for widespread, but likely small, avalanches.

The robust 3/25 crust is creating slick travel conditions. Consider bringing traction and self-arrest tools, especially in steeper terrain. It's also worth giving yourself some extra time to access and exit the mountains.

The prolonged warm spell in March decimated the already struggling East South snowpack. Below 5,000 ft, snow coverage is too limited for avalanche danger at this time—so we’re issuing a No Rating for lower elevations. You can still find rideable snow at middle and upper elevations. 

Are you heading out? We could use the observations in this zone. Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.

Regions covered