Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Riding conditions are slowly improving and shallow wind slabs are becoming more prominent in higher terrain. While these slabs are small, they could trigger easily on unsupported slopes or if they rest on weak layers in the upper foot of the snowpack. Steer around slopes of consequence if you notice stiff drifts or cracking under your feet or machine. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Thin slabs of wind-blown snow exist near ridges and at upper elevations in this zone. These shallow slabs likely formed over surface hoar or facets over a crust, which may make these easier to trigger. At this point, any existing slabs will be small, but they could fail easily depending on what they rest on. Look for signs of drifting and carefully consider the consequences of a small avalanche in big terrain. Steer around conseqenital slopes if you notice cracking under your feet or machine.

    (3/28/2025)

    Obvious signs of wind transported snow. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Any new precipitation on Tuesday will be light and blower. These amounts won’t have too much of an impact on the overall avalanche danger, but it may contribute to some isolated wind slabs that exist at upper elevations and ridgelines. While these precipitation numbers aren’t groundbreaking by Cascade standards, this storm track has offered the mountains of the East South with a nice refresh. 

An NWAC Forecaster traveling up the Tieton drainage verified this and reported about 6-10 inches of low-density fluff resting over a variety of potential weak layers ranging from buried surface hoar and crust/facets. She didn’t find these weak layers to be problematic yet, since the overlying snow is still lacking slab-like characteristics. We’re less certain about this in higher, wind-loaded terrain. Dig down and look for buried weak layers before riding bigger slopes, especially in areas where the wind may have drifted new snow into thicker slabs. 

Early season conditions continue to plague the lower elevations and sun-exposed slopes across the east south. Even at higher elevations, shallow conditions exist. Ride carefully and consider the consequences of small avalanches in big terrain when the snowpack is so thin. 

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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