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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Highlights

Continued winds will keep avalanches in wind drifted snow your primary concern. Steep slopes beneath corniced ridgelines are prime locations for triggering one of these slabs. Reduce your risk by steering around steep slopes with drifts or traveling on the windward aspect of ridges. Avalanches may be easily triggered where drifted snow accumulates on weak snow surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Cornice formations can point to likely wind-loaded slopes below, and natural avalanches or long shooting cracks indicate that wind slabs are unstable. Upper elevations, particularly near steep rocky features near and below ridgelines, are the most likely places to trigger a wind slab. Small test slopes with drifts can help you gauge the reactivity of these wind slabs before committing to more consequential terrain. If test slopes crack and slide easily, you could easily trigger a wind slab avalanche on a large, steep slope. You can travel on windward slopes or lower-angle terrain to reduce your risk. Most avalanches will be small, but they can still easily ruin your season in the wrong terrain. Wind slabs may be exceptionally easy to trigger if new snow accumulates on weak, old snow surfaces. Make sure to consider the consequences of being carried over rocks or through trees below you. 

    (1/4/2026)

    Drifting snow and cornice formations point to wind-loaded slopes below. 

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

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

    There's a chance the sun will come out tomorrow, and south facing slopes start to warm up. The cold temperatures will help limit the size and extent of loose avalanches, but we could still see some run naturally from trees, rocks, or cliffs shedding snow from above. These are likely to be small and could run more as wet loose or dry loose. Make sure to be aware of the terrain above you and move to shadier or lower angle slopes if you start to see rollerballs or small natural avalanches. 

    (11/30/2025)

    Loose avalanches running from steep rocky terrain from earlier this season. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

A dusting of new snow and continued winds are forecast for Monday. It might be a nice, sunny day with cold temperatures in the eastern portion of the zone, but clouds may linger later near and west of Washington Pass. A more potent storm is on deck for Tuesday. 

Observers on Sunday reported small natural wind slabs from increasing SW winds in the morning hours. These avalanches were all quite small and directly related to active wind loading, but they could indicate weak snow surfaces that were recently buried. Another group found buried surface hoar in the Cutthroat area. We don't know if this buried weak layer is widespread across the zone, but it's worth sticking your shovel in the snow to see if it exists 6-10" below the snow surface.  An observer near Mt. Tiffany also reported whumpfing collapses earlier last week, a potential sign of buried, persistent weak layers such as surface hoar. Natural avalanches, identifying a layer of feather-like surface hoar crystals, or feeling the snowpack collapse below you are all clear signs to avoid steep slopes. 

Highway workers and contractor crews have finished their work on Highway 20, east of Early Winters Campground, woo-hoo! Observations in this part of the zone have been extremely limited thus far.  Challenging creek crossings, downed trees, and other post-December storm cycle impacts continue to affect access. 

Regions covered