Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A stormy, windy day will increase avalanche danger throughout the day. You could trigger avalanches in stiff slabs of wind drifted snow on steep slopes below ridgelines. While avalanches might be small, they could be easy to trigger at upper elevations. Actively blowing snow or shooting cracks are signs to choose lower angle slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    This isn't a powerful storm, but the strong winds will easily drift fresh 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. 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 consider what would happen if you get knocked off your feet. If you are pushed into rocks or trees, the consequences could still be high. 

    (2/8/2026)

    Shallow avalanches in steep confined terrain like in this photo could be easy to trigger on Tuesday. 

Avalanche Discussion

This fast-moving storm could bring 4-6" of snow, accompanied by strong winds and cooling temperatures. The storm will build during the day and then bring additional snow overnight into Tuesday. We expect temperatures to start out mild and gradually cool, hopefully helping to form a favorable bond with the old snow surface. But we have limited information, so use quick hand pits as you travel to assess this new interface. If snow slides easily, avalanches are more likely. 

Before temperatures cool, heavy weak snow could accumulate over crusts, resulting in small wet avalanches or rollerballs. 

Recent observations indicate that surfaces have undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles. However, how solid the snowpack is in the morning depends on overnight temperatures and cloud cover. Over the weekend, clear skies helped to refreeze surfaces and keep them supportable. But Sunday's warm, cloudy evening left still-wet, unfrozen snow surfaces on Monday. It's always a good spring habit to check how thick the surface crust is in the morning. 

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 Monday through Thursday while workers and machinery are operating.

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