Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

You can trigger avalanches at middle and upper elevations just below ridges and wind-loaded features. Another round of winds and precipitation will drift slabs of snow near ridgetops. While it's difficult to trigger persistent slab avalanches, consider the consequences of a large avalanche, especially on the western edge of the zone.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Just enough new snow and wind will combine to form fresh wind slabs since Saturday night. Watch for triggering shallow avalanches on leeward sides of ridges, favored by southwest wind. Blowing snow and stiff-feeling drifted pillows of snow will point out where you can trigger slides. Steer around steep rolls (like the one pictured) in wind-loaded terrain, or stick to wind-sheltered slopes. 

    Skiers triggered a small (D1) wind slab avalanche on 45+ rollover at 6300' near Maple Pass on March 5th.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Continue to consider the consequences of a large avalanche, especially at mid- and upper-elevations. Areas further west in the zone, near Rainy and Easy Passes, could see enough new snow to re-activate the weak layer. As more snow accumulates in the coming days and weeks, watch for signs of instability. Widely breaking avalanches, propagating test results, and whumpfing collapses could all indicate that this dangerous problem is returning.

    It's been over a week since the last confirmed persistent slab avalanche. While it may be difficult to trigger them today, the weak structure exists in the upper snowpack. You can find weak layers above and adjacent to crusts 1.5-2 feet below the surface. 

    (2/26/2026)

    A number of large, natural avalanches on a leeward mid-slope feature. Note blowing snow. This likely ran on a weak layer above the 2/7 crust, ~2 feet below the surface. Cutthroat Lake. E-SE, 6,600ft

Avalanche Discussion

Watch for cooling temperatures, dropping snow levels, and light precipitation with moderate to strong winds. Expect partial clearing east of the Cascade crest. While you may find some wet snow below the surface at low elevation, wet avalanches shouldn't be an issue.

Warm temperatures and wet surface snow have been at the forefront of recent observations. While persistent slab avalanches have been less active, weak layers in the snowpack continue to hold our attention. The 2/13 facets above the 2/7 crust can still be found on a variety of aspects and elevations. Other, small avalanches have been more obvious. On Friday, observers reported small wet loose avalanches in steep terrain in the hairpin valley. Skiers near Maple Pass triggered a small wind slab avalanche at 6400ft, E on a steep roll. 

Looking ahead, next week could bring colder, stormier weather. We'll see if the forecast delivers and how that may impact layers below the snow surface.

Regions covered