Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger small slab avalanches on steep and exposed downwind slopes. Avalanche hazard will spike on any given slope with recently fallen snow that sees direct sunshine for the first time. Especially at these times, use more caution around steep slopes where you could be knocked over and carried into cliffs, rocks, and trees below. Lower elevations lack sufficient snow coverage for avalanche hazard to exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Lingering instability exists in wind slabs that formed Wednesday night and Thursday. These slabs sit on slick crusts in most places, but can also be over weak, faceted snow as well. So, despite their small size and age, avalanches can be surprisingly reactive. Expect deeper slabs on northern and eastern aspects. Many middle elevation south and west aspects have minimal snow coverage.

    Wind slabs most often form just below ridgelines or along gully walls (cross-loading). Look for textured/uneven surfaces and recent cornice/wind lip formation, which will tell you that the wind has moved snow around in that area. Find a steep but small terrain feature with these characteristics to jump on and test for reactivity. Steer clear of bigger steep slopes or wind-loaded features if you trigger a mini-slide, get long shooting cracks, or see natural avalanches elsewhere in terrain. This problem is less likely on south and west aspects at all elevations due to minimal or non-existent snow coverage. Although unlikely to bury you, traumatic injury is more likely with any avalanche involvement due to thin snow coverage. 

    (4/2/2026)

    Long shooting cracks are a clear sign of instability in wind loaded snow.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

  • Loose Wet

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

    As soon as the sun hits recently fallen snow, it will rapidly weaken. It might not even be "wet" yet when this problem starts to happen, but it will likely be by the end of the day. Chunks of snow and rollerballs will start falling from trees, rocks, and your own equipment as you travel around. Manage your sluff by using more deliberate, slow travel away from terrain traps where snow will entrain. Pause to let sluff pass if it's growing too big, or if you need to change direction. Avoid steep, sun exposed slopes when you start seeing natural avalanches, and limit your exposure to cliffbands where snow could fall down from. Although unlikely to bury you, the consequences of being knocked over are heightened by the cornucopia of exposed hazards in the terrain right now. This problem is less likely on south and west aspects at all elevations due to minimal or non-existent snow coverage.

    On northerly aspects, small but fast running sluffs of dry loose snow also remain a concern in steep terrain. Use the same terrain management techniques for this problem.

    (2/24/2026)

    A flurry of of avalanches initiating from very steep, rocky areas and ski tracks on sunny slopes.

    Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mtn Rescue

Avalanche Discussion

Some cloud cover Thursday night will give way to sunny skies Friday morning. Thin, high clouds might move in in the afternoon, but they probably won't be thick enough to hold off the effects of warming on the snowpack.

Based on telemetry, East South likely picked up 3-4 inches of new snow Wednesday night and Thursday, with possibly more at upper elevations. This snow was blown around by moderate to strong winds. An NWAC Forecaster nearby in East Central on Thursday found small but reactive wind slab and dry loose avalanche conditions. Both problem types released on either the robust 3/25 crust or a small layer of near surface facets above the crust. Similar conditions were observed on Thursday throughout the West South zone as well, with widely breaking slabs on faceted snow around Crystal and White Pass.

The robust 3/25 crust is creating slick travel conditions. Consider bringing traction and self-arrest tools, especially in steeper terrain. It's also worth giving yourself some extra time to access and exit the mountains.

The prolonged warm spell in March decimated the already struggling East South snowpack. Below 5,000 ft, snow coverage is too limited for avalanche danger at this time—so we’re issuing a No Rating for lower elevations. You can still find rideable snow at middle and upper elevations on most aspects. 

Are you heading out? We could use the observations in this zone. Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.

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