Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Snow and wind will continue to form small wind-drifted slabs, especially in areas near the Cascade Crest. The base of cliffs, near ridgelines, and confined gullies are all prime locations to trigger an avalanche. Seek wind-sheltered or lower-angle terrain if you observe drifting snow or long shooting cracks in wind-stiffened snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The strong winds will continue, along with a light to moderate snow. Small reactive small wind slabs are likely to develop in exposed terrain at mid- and upper-elevations. All the prime locations for wind slabs should be suspect, slopes below ridgelines, the base of cliffs, and confined gullies. However, with these strong wind speeds, you should also look for wind slabs that form in atypical locations, such as further downslope than usual or steep midslope features in typically sheltered terrain. Look for actively drifting snow or textured surfaces as indicators of wind-loaded terrain. Choose lower-angle slopes if test slopes show shooting cracks or you observe recent avalanches. 

    Areas near the Cascade Crest continue to be favored with higher snow totals, so expect more widespread and larger avalanches farther west in the zone. 

    (3/6/2026)

    A test slope showed unstable cracking in wind-loaded snow.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

Monday's snow totals dropped off significantly east of the Cascade Crest. The Salmon La Sac area picked up around 7" of new snow, with just a trace for places in the Wenatchee Mountains. This same story will play out for Tuesday, with strong winds and more snow near the crest. Expect avalanche danger to be elevated where more snow accumulates. In these areas, you could trigger small storm slabs or dry loose avalanches. Quick hand pits and test slopes are a great way to assess the reactivity of new storm snow. Cracking or hand pits where snow slides easily as a cohesive block are signs to steer to lower-angle terrain. We are gaining confidence that the older, persistent weak layers are healing. We've been tracking the 2/13 buried surface hoar and facets around the 2/7 crust. Avalanche activity on these layers was isolated to wind-loaded terrain after the last February and early March storms, and we haven't had any activity since March 2nd. For the last three days, snow professionals at Mission Ridge and the Salmon La Sac have reported no notable snowpack test results associated with these layers. During the warm spell, the upper snowpack was wetted down to the 2/7 crust. Wet, weak layers can act in unlikely, but surprising ways, so until the snowpack refreezes, these weak snow layers should remain on your mind. With increased uncertainty, ease into the terrain and dig down to identify any strong over weak layering before committing to consequential, steep slopes. 

Prepare for a steep entry fee to reach higher-elevation terrain where enough snow exists for on-snow recreation. Blewett Pass and Icicle Creek remain unskiable/sledable. Trailheads and groomed roads are very patchy until you get to at least 5000ft. Give yourself extra time and take precautions when negotiating these conditions.

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