Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A stormy day will increase the chance of triggering small avalanches in wind-drifted snow by the afternoon. Avalanches will be small, but they're also more likely to form in steep, rocky alpine terrain, where a small avalanche can carry high consequences. Consider lower-angle slopes if you observe actively blowing snow or cracking in textured drifts. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While we don't expect much snow out of this storm on Monday, the strong winds will easily drift snow into shallow wind slabs. The storm will intensify, and avalanche danger will increase throughout the day.  Wind slabs are most likely to form at upper elevations on lee slopes below ridgelines and confined rocky features. Look for blowing snow, cornice formations, and textured surfaces to help identify wind loaded terrain below. You can use small test slopes to observe how the snow reacts.  Cracking or snow sliding easily as a slab are signs that you could trigger an avalanche on a larger, steeper slope.  Seek out wind sheltered areas, or steer around textured drifts on steep terrain. 

    Avalanches will mostly be small, but they could carry high consequences in very steep terrain or push you into rocks and trees. Always consider the

    (4/2/2026)

    These long cracks are a bulleyes sign of unstable wind slabs. 

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

Precipitation will increase throughout the day, accompanied by strong winds and cooling temperatures. The real bulk of the storm should hold off until the late evening. 

Given limited observations, we have a fair amount of uncertainty heading into this storm. With mild temperatures and a cooling trend, we expect a favorable bond to underlying surfaces, but we don't have much information from upper elevations. If you're traveling into upper elevation terrain, assess this new interface frequently before committing to consequential terrain. Despite our uncertainty, after this long spell of warm, dry weather, we don't have concerns with deeper layers in the snowpack. An NWAC forecaster near Mission Ridge found shallow, discontinuous snow at upper elevations, although there was enough for recreation. Surfaces were supportable, and there is a mix of wet snow and melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack. 

The meager winter hasn't left much of a snowpack at lower elevations, and sunny aspects like west and south slopes are looking bare well into the mid-elevations. Consider packing trail shoes for traveling over dry ground to reach a more robust snowpack at upper elevations. 

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