Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Highlights

As you gain elevation, start to look for signs that wind drifted snow might be unstable, such as blowing snow, uneven snow surfaces, and a change to denser-feeling snow underneath your equipment. If you see any of these and also experience shooting cracks or recent avalanches, find more sheltered terrain to recreate in.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Although Wednesday's wind forecast was a bit of a bust, slabs still likely formed in exposed terrain. This, along with another small input of snow and wind on Thursday, keeps wind slabs on the table for Thursday. As you gain elevation and find drier snow, expect the sensitivity to increase.

    Wind slabs generally form just below ridgelines and along gully walls, often referred to as cross loading. Identify signs of wind transport, such as textured snow surfaces, cornice development, and scoured surfaces on the windward side of slopes. Recent slab avalanches, long shooting cracks from your equipment, and collapsing are all clear signs to stick to more sheltered terrain. 

    (12/18/2025)

    A small intentionally triggered wind slab from last week at Mt. Hood.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Other than telemetry data, we have snowpack information for the zone. This significantly reduces confidence in the forecast. You'll likely find a cohesive slab of snow over a prominent crust from the warm-up on 12/18. Observations from the nearby East Central zone point to good bond between the slab and crust, however multiple avalanches observed in the nearby West South zone indicate the opposite. To mitigate this increased uncertainty, make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time before entering larger or more complex terrain. In typical Cascade fashion, expect higher snow totals and increased hazard closer to White Pass, Bumping Lake, and Chinook Pass.

Be on the lookout for snow that has weakened due to warming. The first signs of deterioration are roller balls, pinwheels, and big chunks of snow falling from trees. If you're getting rained on or can get mushy snow moving downhill on a small test slope, maneuver around steep slopes where a small avalanche could catch and carry you over rocks and cliffs.

Lower elevations are most likely still quite shallow, making skiing or riding off the road tricky. Watch for shallowly buried rocks, trees, and high-flowing creeks. These hazards can appreciably increase the consequences of getting caught in even a small avalanche.

Accessing terrain can be quite arduous due to widespread damage from recent atmospheric river events. Be prepared to be turned around due to road closures, washouts, mudslides, or downed trees. Many thanks to any and all folks out there who have been helping clear roads and trails.

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

If you head out into the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting an observation here.

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