Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You may be able to trigger shallow avalanches in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations. Clearing skies will bring a chance for triggering wet avalanches on sun-exposed slopes. Watch for signs of instability like rollerballs and natural wet avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We expect most of these avalanches to be shallow. Above 6000ft, there could also be older, deeper wind slabs that formed on Saturday and Sunday, though it will likely be difficult to trigger avalanches in these layers. The most likely locations to trigger a wind slab will be in alpine terrain near steep, rocky ridgelines and confined gullies. If you see large pillow-like drifts, shooting cracks, or the snow feels hollow beneath you, simply travel on lower-angle slopes or steer around these wind-loaded features

    (4/8/2023)

    Large avalanche from a human triggered cornice fall on Saturday.

    Photo: Mission Ridge Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Access in the East North zone is difficult and observations are sparse. We have significant uncertainty in the forecast. Be prepared to make your own assessment.  If you're out in the mountains, submit an observation and let us know what you see.  

Watch for small wet avalanches as the skies clear. These avalanches should mostly be inconsequential but use caution if you find 6" or more of recent soft snow on the surface. 

WSDOT highway and avalanche crews have been working to clear Hwy 20 Washington Pass. On Wednesday, they reported about 2" of snow from the past 24 hours resting on a firm, frozen crust. They reported natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches, up to D1.5, that occurred between 4/9-10.  Some steep, unsupported rock faces released small glide avalanches. A deeper crown was reported in Willow Creek, NE around 7900ft near the top of Kangaroo Ridge. This natural slab avalanche likely resulted from wind loading on the 9th or 10th.

On Tuesday, 4/4, Willie Webster took an aerial tour of the zone and produced remarkable images of the current snow cover and recent avalanche activity. Notable were a couple of older avalanches, including a very large natural slab avalanche on a NNE aspect of Silverstar Mtn and a natural glide avalanche on Hinkhouse Peak. On March 30th, Willie reported large debris piles on Harts Pass. The road was melting out quickly near Deadhorse Pt. He found a mix of sun crusts on the surface, though higher elevations looked to hold a cold, layered snowpack. 

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