Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Saturday will bring the last round of warm temperatures, sun, and danger from wet avalanches. Keep track of steep terrain overhead as the day warms. Avoid travel on or immediately below steep slopes where the snow is wet and mushy or where you see fresh rollerball or wet avalanche action.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    With prolonged warming also comes the increased chance of seeing cornice falls, snow shedding from cliffs, and gullies emptying snow, especially during the heat of the day. You can also get some wet avalanches or danger-sized rollerballs by pushing around snow on steep slopes full of wet mank.

    Wet avalanche activity could vary widely across the forecast zone tomorrow, depending on cloud cover and exposure to wind. There is more recent snow and the potential for larger wet avalanches as you get closer to the Cascade Crest. 

    It might not be spring, but it will be a day to tap into the spring mindset. Big alpine terrain produced some big wet avalanches in the Central Cascades the past few days. Reduce your exposure to big sunny slopes as temperatures rise.

     

     

    (2/28/2025)

    A fresh, large wet loose avalanche on an east aspect in the West North forecast zone.

    (WL-N-D2-I)

    Photo: John Minier - Baker Mountain Guides

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: On Friday, February 28, three snowmobilers were riding near Harts Pass in the East North zone when they triggered a large slab avalanche. Two riders were caught and carried. One rider was fully buried and killed. The other was partially buried and injured. NWAC is working with local avalanche professionals to conduct an investigation. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community. (NE, 6,800ft HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O)

Saturday will mark the fourth day of significant warming and the warmest day of the week with high temperatures forecast at well over 50F at 5000'.  As we continue this spring-like weather, expect variability throughout the zone and aspect-dependent surface conditions. Anticipate breakable crusts on west, south, and east aspects, and hopefully some dry snow on northern slopes at upper elevations. We expect that with warmer temperatures, surface crusts will break down quickly. Plan your day so you can move off of and out from under steep, sunny terrain as temperatures rise even more. 

If you are headed into the mountains on Saturday, consider submitting an observation - through the NWAC website or the Avy app - to help improve the quality of avalanche forecasts for the East South zone. There are just too many mountains and not enough forecasters for NWAC alone to gather all the required information.  More information means a better, more accurate forecast that will be more relevant wherever you go in the mountains. Don't wait to submit an observation until you "see something". Observations that simply verify the forecasted weather or snow conditions, or something as simple as "it was warm, but we didn't see avalanches on sunny slopes", are also useful.

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