Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in new and recently fallen snow on slopes over 35 degrees. The most dangerous slopes will be at upper elevations and near the Cascade Crest, where avalanches could be deeper and easier to trigger due to wind drifting. Use test slopes to check how easily the recent snow slides and choose wind-sheltered terrain or low-angle slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    In most locations, especially in wind-sheltered terrain, the recent snow will be loose and uncohesive. While these avalanches are easier to manage, they're still worth considering. Shallow snow cover can make even smaller avalanches hazardous if you get pushed into rocks or logs. Thin clouds and a touch of sun could make it easier to trigger these slides on Sunday.

    (2/7/2025)

    An example of loose dry avalnches on a a sunny slope near Washington Pass.

    Photo: NCH

  • Wind Slabs

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

    To reduce your risk, avoid steep terrain beneath corniced ridgelines, the base of cliffs, and wind-exposed alpine bowls. Wind-stiffened slabs may be hidden under more recent snow. Use a pole or probe to feel for stiffer snow in suspect terrain. 

    Wind-sheltered terrain will provide safer options, though it may still hold some hazards above 4,500ft. Observers have reported both mid-storm interfaces and older crusts from mid-December that could potentially be problematic in steep, unsupported terrain. If you find cracks that shoot through the snow or test slopes that slide easily, default to lower-angle slopes.

     

    (12/19/2025)

    Wind drifted slabs and features on Setting Sun Mtn. 6,600ft

    Photo: Will Govus

Avalanche Discussion

With very limited access to the mountains, we have little information about the snowpack. Travel with extra safety margins, make your own observations, and ease into new terrain slowly to account for the uncertainty. You can expect to find 1-2.5 feet of recent snow over the mid-December crust. There's a large variation in new snow amounts and overall snow depths. Both will be greater as you gain elevation and get closer to Washington Pass and the Cascade Crest. 

On Friday, observers far east of the Cascade Crest reported 8-12 inches of recent snow at 4500ft, increasing to 2 feet above 5,500ft. Winds prior to the 19th formed stiff slabs at upper elevations. The Harts Pass snotel station is reporting just under 100" of snow on the ground. There, observers reported signs of instability on Friday. For the weekend, expect continued cold temperatures and ongoing snow throughout the zone, including at lower elevations. The western part of the zone, including Washington Pass is favored for storm totals. 

Since December 14th, our snowpack at Washington Pass has increased by over 2 feet. At elevations over 6,000 ft, we expect recent storm totals to be much higher. We know that a crust formed during a rain-on-snow event on December 11th, which also initiated a significant avalanche cycle with widespread natural avalanche activity up to D3 in size. We have no snowpack data for the zone because the mudslides have closed our common access points.  This creates significant uncertainty about the bond to the underlying crust and low overall forecast confidence. To mitigate this increased uncertainty, make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time before entering larger or more complex terrain. 

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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