Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Expect dangerous avalanche conditions at upper elevations near the Cascade crest and Washington Pass. Watch for triggering avalanches in the new snow, especially where the wind has drifted thicker slabs. Be ready to asses the snowpack and look for avalanches, recently formed drifts, and cracks shooting through the snow to point you to the danger. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It will be most dangerous on leeward sides of ridges at upper elevations where westerly wind will drift deeper slabs of snow. Steer around freshly pillowed drifts to avoid triggering an avalanche. Check the bond between the new and old snow. Use caution anywhere that you find the new snow sliding easily or producing cracks that shoot through the snow.

    (11/26/2024)

    An example of shooting cracks in wind-drifted snow. 7,200ft, W. West fork of Cedar ck

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

Be ready to make your own asessment of the snowpack. Information has been very limited during a period of unique weather and changing conditions. This storm could deliver a total of 7-12" inches of snow by the end of Sunday. NWAC Observers were near Washington Pass on Wednesday. On average snow depths were between 2-3ft, with shallower depths on south aspects and wind-scoured slopes. There was plenty of evidence of wet avalanches, some occurring during the day, and older piles of debris from previous days. Coverage is still shallow, and there are exposed obstacles at all elevations.Please let us know what you see in the mountains by submitting an observation. 

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