Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago.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

Highlights

Friday will bring warmer temperatures and continued light precipitation. You're primarily going to see small wet avalanches and widespread rollerballs throughout the day. Most avalanches will be quite small, but pay attention in very steep terrain where a small slide could push you into rocks or over cliffs. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As temperatures climb on Friday, we'll likely see a transition to rain at mid and possibly even upper elevations. There won't be much fresh snow to slide, but in very steep terrain, we may see small, wet loose avalanches. More likely, we'll just see widespread rollerballs. Still, take the warming into consideration if you're in very steep terrain where wet, heavy snow could push you off your feet, over cliffs, or into trees and rocks. 

    (12/24/2025)

    Rollerballs indicate the snowpack is warming and weakening.

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The Eastern Cascades haven't received much snow, but in alpine areas, you may be able to trigger shallow wind slabs. Actively blowing snow or a dappled texture on the snow surface are good ways to identify areas of wind drifting. Wind slabs may form over slick or weak surfaces. In most terrain, these avalanches wouldn't pose much of a hazard. But in very steep, confined, or cliffy terrain, a small avalanche could cause a dangerous fall. Use extra caution and consider steering around more aggressive terrain features. 

    (1/5/2026)

    Small pockets of wind, like this drifted snow, may be where you find unstable snow on Thursday. 

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday brought 4-6" of snow to the east central zone. Precipitation will continue to trickle into the Eastern Cascades, but unfortunately, temperatures will also continue to rise. This could lead to changing avalanche problems as the day progresses. You could find small wind slabs in the morning and a change to wet avalanches by the afternoon. In either case, avalanches will likely be small given the light snow totals. As is typical for the east slopes, more snow accumulated in areas near the crest, so expect slightly larger avalanches in the western portion of the zone. 

An NWAC forecaster in the Wenatchee Mountains on Thursday found around 4" of fresh snow with deeper drifts in isolated areas. The new snow fell on slick crusts and potentially old, weak surfaces. If you're out in the mountains, monitor how well the new snow bonds with the old surface. Where the new snow falls on weak or slick surfaces and slides easily, avalanches may be more likely with additional snowfall. 

Then there's dry ground across many low-elevation or south-facing slopes, reminiscent of early-season conditions. Some areas, like the Wenatchees, lack consistent snow coverage for on-snow recreation altogether. Plan ahead for challenging travel and keep a watchful eye out for exposed obstacles and open creeks.

Regions covered