Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continue to use caution around recently wind-loaded slopes, especially steep slopes directly below ridgelines at upper elevations.  In more sheltered shady terrain, small loose dry avalanches may run fast on very steep slopes.  A cooling trend with increasing clouds will bring an end to wet snow concerns over the weekend. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Continue to use caution on leeward slopes where you find deeply drifted pillows of snow.  Avalanches could be easier to trigger on shaded northwest-to-northeast aspects in higher elevation wind-loaded terrain. Leeward slopes below ridges and cliffs could still produce avalanches big enough to bury you.  Watch for red flags, such as recent slab avalanches, whumphing collapses, and cracks shooting through the snow.

    It's been several days since a slab avalanche, natural or human-triggered, has been reported.  Earlier in the week, winds had built slabs over a crust/potential weak layer primarily on northerly aspects. On the 24th, there were reports of natural avalanches on this crust, and on the 25th, observers reported ongoing signs of instability at upper elevations.

    (3/15/2026)

    We watched a small loose slide off the cliffs trigger this mini wind slab avalanche. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

After a cold start and some morning high clouds on Friday,  temperatures climbed into the mid to upper 30s under sunny skies at the higher weather stations.  On Thursday morning, observers reported another 3" of snow over wind-affected surfaces. Westerly winds were strong on Wednesday night.  Small wet loose avalanches were observed on Thursday in the Hwy20 corridor. 

On Wednesday, an observer on Silverstar Mtn reported whumpfing collapses, propagating test results, and recent avalanches in wind-affected snow. Conditions on Tuesday were more reactive near Harts Pass. Observers there reported reactive conditions with natural avalanches running on a crust on northwest-to-northeast aspects. They also reported collapsing and cracking. Southerly aspects were less reactive. 

Rain between March16-20th formed a crust that was then buried by a small amount of dry snow. This interface remained on northerly aspects, but melted out on sunny southerly aspects betweeen the 22-23rd. 

Snow cover is thin on southerly slopes and at low elevations. Be aware of exposed rocks and open creeks. WSDOT has begun plowing operations on Hwy 20 between Silver Star trailhead and Newhalem. The road will be closed to all traffic on weekdays while workers and machinery are operating.

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