Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warming temperatures and a bit of precipitation could add another layer of uncertainty to a tricky snowpack. Avalanches will be most likely on very steep slopes and previously wind-affected areas. Choose routes that give you lower angle options, in case conditions become more active than anticipated. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Persistent weak layers have been well documented in the East North zone. Avalanche activity occurred on a variety of aspects, but so far, it has generally been localized to wind-loaded slopes. Interestingly, many of the widest slides released on southerly aspects. The culprit? Weak, sugary facets sit just above the 2/7 crust, often 1-2 feet below the surface. 

    With ongoing warm temperatures, we could see avalanche activity increase. This includes at lower elevations, where water could begin to affect this layer. As the uncertainty rises, look for terrain with lower-angle options. If you see fresh slab avalanches, steer clear of similar terrain. 

    At higher elevations, wind-loaded terrain will remain suspect. There have been small, shallow wind slab avalanches from westerly winds in recent days. It's tough to separate the distribution of these recent slabs from the more dangerous and deeper persistent slab avalanches. Continue to steer clear of wind-affected slopes along ridgelines and in the tops of chutes. 

    (2/28/2026)

    A widely propagating natural avalanche below Cutthroat Peak. This avalanche is suspected to have failed on weak snow over the 2/7 crust. 7000ft, S-SW aspectN-R4-D2.5-O 

    Photo: NCH

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm temperatures and a bit of drizzle could make the snow surface wet and manky. Rain already reached near 6000ft in the past few days, so this won’t be the first time the snow has seen water, but it could become wet and unstable nonetheless. Natural avalanches may occur as snow sheds from rocks and trees, or you may trigger a slide in very steep terrain. Overall, these avalanches should remain small and shallow. However, they could act as a trigger for the underlying weak layers, causing larger slab avalanches. 

    (1/14/2026)

    Example: Wet loose slides could trigger deeper slabs similar to this even earlier this winter. 

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

This series of storms hasn’t brought much snow to the East North zone. Sadly, the warm temperatures seem to be the big story. Expect light rain giving way to clearing skies on Saturday. 

While the wet surface snow will be the most obvious concern. Weak layers in the snowpack continue to hold our attention. Other, small avalanches have been more obvious. On Friday, observers reported small wet loose avalanches in steep terrain in the hairpin valley. Skiers near Maple Pass triggered a small wind slab avalanche at 6400ft, E on a steep roll. 

Looking ahead, next week could bring colder, stormier weather. We'll see. 

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