Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The size and severe consequences of avalanches are keeping the avalanche danger heightened. Many large and very large recent avalanches in a range of terrain are evidence of the danger. Choose conservative terrain and stick to lower-angle slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This isn’t a snowpack set up to mess around with. Over the past week, multiple very large and widely propagating avalanches have been reported. In two separate involvements near Harts Pass riders were buried and one person was killed. Put plenty of space between you and steep open slopes on the north side of the compass. 

    The January Drought Layer is about 3 feet below the surface. Aside from the widespread recent avalanches, you may not see other signs of instability. Avalanches could break across entire slopes, run long distances, and even reach valley bottoms. The only way to deal with this issue is to be diligent and avoid this terrain.

    (2/28/2025)

    A large avalanche near Hart's Pass that caught 2 snowmobilers and resulted in one fatality on February 28th. 

    HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O. Cone Mtn, NE, 6,800ft

    Photo: NCH

  • Loose Wet

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

    Despite slowly cooling temperatures, the snow has not frozen solidly. Over the past week, natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches occurred. Some were very large and even broke trees. Wet cycles are hard to predict. While we don't expect the same amount of avalanches as over the weekend, a few more could run on Tuesday. 

    When you find wet snow deeper than your ankle you may trigger a wet slide. However, the potential for natural slides is much scarier. If you see any snow falling off rocks or cornice lines, stay away from under overhead hazards.

    (2/27/2025) Natural wet avalanches off of Cutthroat Peak from the recent warming.

     Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: On Friday, February 28, three snowmobilers were riding near Harts Pass in the East North zone when they triggered a large slab avalanche. Two riders were caught and carried. One rider was fully buried and killed. The other was partially buried and injured. NWAC is working with local avalanche professionals to conduct an investigation. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community. (NE, 6,800ft HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O)

On Sunday, NWAC Forecasters visited the site of the avalanche fatality near Harts Pass. You can see initial observations, and a report will be issued in the near future. In addition to this avalanche, forecasters found widespread persistent slab, wet loose, and wet slab avalanches up to at least D3. They encountered a natural wet avalanche that ran that day, and experienced collapsing and shooting cracks.

The overall situation in the East North zone is challenging. Two very different avalanche problems cover every aspect. There's complexity of a week of warm weather, lack of overnight freezes, wet snow issues, and persistent weak layers. Even though the danger is dropping, it's not a green light to push into bigger terrain. It only reflects the overall changes in the potential for these avalanches. The consequences of both problems remain high. 

While the January Drought Layer has been in our snowpack for the past month. It wasn’t until the late February blustery storm followed by warm temperatures combined to “wake it up.” Nearly daily avalanches and collapses have occurred into this past weekend, but have now slowed. The culprit? Weak facets buried 2–3 ft (70-100cm) below the surface. This problem isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

While persistent slab avalanches been the focus since the late February storm, warm weather the past week brought down impressive wet avalanches, some up to size D3 (very large). Natural wet slides occurred as recently as Sunday near Harts Pass including one that broke trees and gouged to the ground (SW, 4500ft). 

In the foothills and mountains well- east of the Cascade crest, slabs and wet snow over weak faceted grains led to collapses and a small avalanches. All the warm weather will eventually help strengthen the snowpack, but until temperatures drop and the snowpack freezes solid, keep these conditions could persist.

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

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