Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A weather system may gift the mountains of the East South with a few inches of low-density snowfall and create a new generation of shallow wind slabs. While avalanche conditions are generally safe, still use caution as you ride or climb into wind-exposed terrain. Consider steering around steep, wind-drifted terrain if you notice blowing snow or stiff, textured slabs at the surface. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small slabs of wind-blown snow exist in exposed terrain in the East South. A few more inches of low-density snow and increasing winds on Monday may maintain reactive pockets of drifted snow, especially if they rest over weak snow surfaces above a crust. We received good confirmation on Saturday that these persistent grains got buried in the nearby White Pass and Crystal Mountain area. 

    You’ll find these slabs on the downwind sides of ridges, below cornices, and in rocky alpine terrain. Pay attention to changes in snow surface texture and hardness with aspect and elevation. Look and feel for blowing snow, sharp drifts, and hollow-sounding snow. Shooting cracks of whumphs are obvious signs that you found an unstable slab.

    (1/4/2026)

    Blowing snow may become for noticable as the day progresses. Drifting like this can help show local wind patterns and which slopes are loaded. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

A weather system on Monday may bring another few inches of low-density snow to the East South mountains. Based on telemetry near the Cascade Crest, we suspect the western reaches of the zone may have 4-6 inches of new snow over the 2/13 interface, which may consist of a mix of surface hoar or near-surface facets depending on elevation and aspect in the zone. This isn’t enough new snow for these weak grains to be an issue yet. However, that may not be the case in wind-loaded areas where small slabs could be easily triggered. 

We don't have many observations in this zone, so if you’re planning on heading out, be sure to dig around and go into the day with an assessment mindset. You can use shovel tilt tests or other simple snowpack tests to help highlight strong over weak layering. 

Early season conditions continue to plague the lower elevations and sun-exposed slopes across the east south. Even at higher elevations, shallow conditions exist. Ride carefully and consider the consequences of small avalanches in big terrain when the snowpack is so thin. 

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

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