Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A warm and potent storm will bring very dangerous conditions by Saturday afternoon. You could encounter large avalanches running naturally by the end of the day, especially at upper elevations. Avoid traveling under significant overhead terrain and don't stop in large avalanche paths where slides could come down from above. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    You can expect avalanches where you find 6" or more of new snow. The terrain above 5,5000ft should receive mostly snow, but even there, it will come in warm and heavy. Moderate to strong southwest winds will make avalanches even more likely on leeward sides of ridges.

    Watch for avalanches and cracking in the new snow. Use small test slopes and frequent informal tests to see how easily the snow slides. Stick to smaller slopes and confined terrain. If you experience whumpfing collapses or see avalanches break into deeper layers, you should avoid all avalanche terrain. At that point, you will be dealing with unmanageable persistent slab conditions. See more below.

    (2/1/2025) Small sled triggered storm slab. Photo: Will Govus

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    As the snow starts to accumulate, choose more conservative terrain. Limit your exposure to large avalanche paths and runouts. Don't linger where avalanches or cornices could fall from above. Heed the warning of any whumpfs or cracks that break into deeper weak layers

    It won't take much to awaken the avalanche dragons in our widespread weak snowpack. The new snow will stress older weak layers throughout the zone. The first areas where this will occur will be upper elevation leeward slopes and terrain east of the Cascade crest where you find less than 5 feet of snow on the ground. Avalanches could run naturally on older January weak layers.

    (3/2/2024)

    An example of a very large avalanche on Kangaroo Ridge from last season.

    Pk 8183, WNW, 7,600ft

    Photo: Willie Webster

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches will be the most common type to encounter at low elevations. They are predictable and typically smaller. Use extra caution if you see avalanches gouging deep into the snowpack or wet slabs breaking on deeper weak layers. If you see weak, moist snow that slides easily or natural avalanches, stick to lower-angle terrain.

    (2/2/2024)

    Examples of wet avalanches in the Cutthroat paths on Highway 20 from last season.

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

Expect a massive spike in avalanche danger Saturday night through Sunday. We expect widespread natural avalanches, some of which could be very large and run to the valley bottom. Don't be surprised if conditions don't appear very dangerous on Saturday morning. Snowfall throughout the day will quickly change conditions.

Overall, the snowpack in the zone is weak, faceted, and variable. Facets from the January Drought Layer (JDL) are the main concern, about 1.5-2.5 feet below the surface. They were responsible for the large collapses and sudden test results earlier this week with only warming temperatures. As the snowfall adds up, we expect unstable conditions to return.

You can help us gather more data by submitting an observation HERE or via the Avy App. 

Regions covered