Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Use caution as Tuesday progresses; you may be able to trigger avalanches on steep slopes at mid- and upper-elevations. Watch for easily triggered slab avalanches in wind-drifted snow just below ridges and other steep, wind-drifted features. At middle and lower elevations, you may encounter small wet avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch for roller-balls and recent natural avalanches to identify the danger. Avalanches will be small and easy to predict, but they could be dangerous if they could push you into rocks, trees, or off cliffs. At low elevations, wet snow may only be deep enough for roller balls, and avalanches will likely not be of consequence.

    Rain and wet snow will fall to 5,000ft, though this may be slightly lower or higher in specific drainages. Up to 3-4" of snow could accumulate at middle elevations before switching to rain. While enough rain will fall to wet the snowpack, the current surface is a thick, solidly frozen crust, and rain alone won't be enough to cause avalanches.

    (3/2/2026)

    Recent wet loose avalanches and an old crown earlier this month.  Windy Ridge, E, 5300'

    Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for red-flag signs of danger, like fresh slab avalanches, actively blowing snow, stiffened surfaces, and cracks shooting through the snow. Avalanches will be easier to trigger on wind-loaded, shaded northwest through northeast aspects. The wind will drift slabs over a thin layer of recent, light snow resting on a crust. 

    Steer around leeward slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Better still, you can stick to lower-angle slopes and wind-sheltered terrain. South through southwesterly winds will be strong and gusty.

    (3/15/2026)

    We watched a small loose slide off the cliffs trigger this mini wind slab avalanche. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Firm crusts cover most snow surfaces. A dusting of up to 2" overlies the crust on shaded, northerly aspects. On Monday, observers reported that the snow melted into the crust below on southerly, sun-exposed slopes. 

After a weekend of clearer weather and overnight freezes, most slopes froze solidly. On the 16-20th,  rain brought a couple of rounds of wet avalanches, and you may still see some debris just under the new snow. Snow cover is thin on southerly slopes and at low elevations. Be aware of exposed rocks and open creeks.

WSDOT has begun plowing operations on Hwy 20 between Silver Star trailhead and Newhalem. The road will be closed to all traffic on weekdays while workers and machinery are operating.

Regions covered