Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A potent storm is creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. While wind-loaded terrain will harbor the thickest, most consequential slabs - any steep, open slope should be considered suspect. Avoid traveling on avalanche terrain and limit time spent beneath it until the storm passes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Heavy snowfall and very strong winds will maintain the threat of large avalanches, even in more wind-sheltered zones. Expect slabs to be several feet thick and pack a bigger punch in wind-loaded terrain. These avalanches could fail within the new storm snow or deeper on the stout 3/8 crust.

    Peak reactivity will likely occur during the Wednesday night hours, which corresponds with the highest snow levels, but consistent wind loading and more snowfall should keep the snowpack ripe for human-triggering through the day.

    This is a big storm for the East South mountains, so don’t run your normal playbook. Let the storm run its course by enjoying the new snow on wind sheltered, low-angle terrain with out any overhead avalanche concerns.

    (3/11/2026)

    An example of a storm slab in the West North zone on Wednesday. 

    Photo: Lee Lazzara

Avalanche Discussion

As of Wednesday evening, snotels have picked up 1.2-1.8 inches of snow water equivalent. That came out to 19 inches of new snow at Bumping Ridge! The heaviest part of the storm, with peak warming, will arrive on Wednesday night, which should set the stage for a natural avalanche cycle. While peak instability may have passed by Thursday morning, additional accumulations and wind loading will likely maintain reactive conditions through the day, especially in wind drifted areas.

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. 

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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