Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

It will be possible to trigger a large avalanche in wind deposited snow on Sunday. Cornices, riming, and rippled snow surfaces indicate previous wind transport. Consider steering around steep terrain if you find these features, and definitely stick to lower-angle, wind-sheltered slopes if you encounter shooting cracks or collapsing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche is trending lower. Unfortunately, that also means it becomes harder to find signs of instability. As the weather gives way to calm, sunny skies and slabs stiffen, you won't see as many red flag warning signs, such as blowing snow or cracking. You can still use surface and terrain clues to point you to where slabs previously formed. Look for textured surfaces and cornices, and feel for density changes to the snow underneath you. Wind slabs often form just below ridgelines, cliffs, and within exposed gullies. Fortunately, there will be plenty of new snow to play in on lower-angle, sheltered slopes.

    Upper elevation ridgelines will continue to see wind of a gusty nature on Sunday. Any snow still available for transport could get picked up and form very small fresh slabs higher up in terrain.

    (4/1/2025)

    Example photo showing clear signs of wind transported snow common along ridges. They help identify local wind patterns and anticipate possible wind slabs.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

After receiving another 4-7 inches of low density snow overnight, East North experienced the beginning of a weather pattern change to high pressure on Saturday. The sunshine easily influenced all of the new snow, and a professional observer traveling on solar aspects observed numerous natural loose avalanches releasing in steep, cliffy terrain. They also began triggering small pockets of old storm slabs brought back to life by the warming. Sunday will be a similar day: cold and socked in at the trailhead, then glorious and sunny up in the alpine. Keep an eye out for more small loose avalanches releasing overhead. Where it does remain cold lower down, the snow will be slower to settle, and you may still be able to trigger small loose dry avalanches.

Backcountry travelers reported extensive wind-affected snow in the Upper Chewuch and Twisp River drainages throughout the week. Wind slab and storm slab avalanches were reported from Wednesday and Thursday on both leeward slopes and in more wind-sheltered terrain. On the 24th, observers also reported a freezing-rain crust below 4700ft, which is now buried by recent snow.

Following severe weather earlier in the month, access to Washington Pass and Highway 20 west of Early Winters is currently closed due to mudslides and road crews working in the area. With limited access to the mountains, we have less information about the snowpack than usual. Travel with extra safety margins, make your own observations, and ease into new terrain slowly to account for the uncertainty. Make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time to assess before entering larger terrain.  

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.

Regions covered