Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

After a long warm spell, temperatures are cooling, and avalanche concerns will be primarily in new wind-drifted snow. You could trigger an avalanche at the base of cliffs or near ridgelines at upper elevations. Avalanches are likely to be small, but use caution in very steep terrain if you observe drifting or cracking.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The strong winds with this storm will continue through at least late on Monday. As temperatures cool and snow accumulates, drifting snow could form shallow slabs. Minimal snow is expected for most of the zone, but in areas near the Cascade Crest, wind slabs may form on slopes below ridgelines, at the base of cliffs, and in confined gullies. Look for actively drifting snow, cornice formations, or textured surfaces as indicators of wind-loaded terrain. Choose lower-angle slopes if test slopes show shooting cracks or you observe recent avalanches. 

    Avalanches will likely be small, but use caution in terrain where you could be pushed into rocks, trees, or over cliffs. With these terrain traps, even a small avalanche can have unfortunate outcomes.

    (1/5/2026)

    These cornice formations point to likely wind loaded slopes below. 

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

While areas near the Cascade Crest could pick up 4-5" of snow, 1-2" should be the expected amounts for the bulk of the zone. Winds will be the biggest player in this storm, and in open terrain, it's likely to feel quite blizzard-like. We expect a favorable bond with the old snow surface, but it's worth digging down to observe. If you find the new snow slides easily and it's more than 6" deep, small storm slabs could be possible even on sheltered slopes. 

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. An NWAC forecaster traveled to the Pinegrass Ridge area last week and identified these layers about 2 feet below the surface. On west aspects, they produced propagating test results, while on southerly aspects, the layers were gaining strength. The last (and only) known persistent slab avalanches that failed in the East South occurred on February 28th around Darland Mountain. In the nearby East Central zone, snow professionals have reported no notable snowpack test results associated with these layers for the last 3 days. 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. 

NWAC Forecasters produce more accurate avalanche forecasts when the community chips in. Please let us know what you're seeing out there.

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