Avalanche forecast

East Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering a 1-2 foot thick avalanche is most likely on open slopes above 6000 ft. These avalanches may be larger in areas with recent wind loading. You can reduce your exposure to this problem by sticking to less steep, well-supported terrain under 30 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rain on snow has wettend the snowpack below 5500 ft or so. The initial wet loose cycle has likely run its course, but still be on the lookout for lingering wet snow instabilities. Rollerballs, pinwheels, and deep boot penetrations are good reasons to default to less steep terrain. 

    (1/5/2025) Photo: Katie Pistello

    Observers reported wet surfaces up 6400 ft in the East Central zone on Sunday. Consider moving to less steep terrain if you notice signs of warming like this. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    You could trigger 1-2’ thick slabs failing on buried surface hoar, especially where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface below ridges. This concerning layer was found around Ahtanum Meadows on Friday, but we suspect this set-up may also exist in other areas around the zone.

    Persistent slabs can release in surprising ways, break wider than expected, and release above or from a distance aways. Snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing are clear signs of unstable conditions. However, a lack of these obvious warning signs doesn't mean you're in the clear either. Approach the mountains with the assumption that this weak layer may exist on many open slopes. The best way to manage this problem is to simply avoid travel on and under slopes open slopes greater than 30 degrees. 

    (1/3/2025)

    Long shooting cracks are great reasons to dial it back. 

    6600 ft, NE @ Ahtanum Meadows on January 3rd. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Fewer weather inputs may lead to fewer signs of unstable snow on Monday, but remember that buried surface hoar can act in surprising ways and still lingers in the snowpack around Ahtanum Meadows and potentially elsewhere. This layer was responsible for two triggered avalanches on Friday, surprisingly long shooting cracks, and propagating test results . While most of the activity was reported around Ahtanum Meadows above 6000 ft, don’t write it off elsewhere. Another skier-triggered avalanche failing at similar depths was also reported around the White Pass area on Friday.

Look for dangerous avalanche conditions to persist as freezing levels start increasing on Tuesday. 

If you get out into the mountain, let us know what you see by submitting a public observation. 

Regions covered