Avalanche forecast

East Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It remains possible for you to trigger large avalanches that fail 1 to 2 feet deep in wind-loaded terrain. You can reduce your exposure by steering around steep slopes with wind-stiffened surfaces. Wet snow instabilities will become prominent as each day passes, especially during periods of rainfall or sun breaks. 

Please read the discussion for more details on the avalanche accident that occurred at Longs Pass on Friday, January 9th. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Triggering hard wind slabs ranging from 1 to 2 ft remains a concerning possibility in this zone. Slabs will become harder to trigger and provide less feedback as we move further from the loading event that formed them.  However, upper elevation winds have been strong enough that I would't fully trust them yet- especially in steep, unsupported, and complex terrain. If they trigger, they could be large and consequential. 

    Look for these slabs near ridges, below cornices, and on mid-slope convexities on open slopes. Watch for smooth pillows below ridgelines and cornices as well as on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Dunes and ripples on the surface are clues the wind has been at work transporting snow. If you feel the snow surface getting stiffer, it's time to pay attention and steer around steep loaded features. 

    Hard wind slabs sound hollow, like a drum, and behave unpredictably; they can break above you and wider than expected. Cracks shooting out from your skis or machine are obvious signs you found an unstable wind slab. 

    Further west in the zone, light accumulations of new snow at higher elevations may camouflage these older wind drifts or form newer shallow slabs.

    (1/9/2026)

    Drifts, wind lips, and rime pointing towards loaded slopes

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet snow instabilities will become more prominent and widespread as each day passes and becomes slightly warmer. On Sunday, wet loose instabilities will be more dependent on rainfall rather than clearing skis. If its raining, wet avalanches should be on your mind. When you notice large clumps of snow falling from trees or cliffs and roller balls forming, mark that as a sign that the snowpack is warming and weakening. Pay attention to the terrain around you as sluffs can start in steep terrain above, and carry you into terrain traps below.

    (12/24/2025)

    Natural roller balls falling off cliffs indicate a warming and weakening snowpack.

    Photo: Payton Schiff

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, January 9th, four backcountry skiers were caught and carried by a large avalanche while descending near Longs Pass in the Teanaway River drainage. The slide occurred on an S to SE facing slope at approximately 6200ft. One member of the party was not buried. Another teammate was partially buried but injured. The other two individuals were fully buried. During the initial rescue, the team located one of the buried victims, who did not survive. Despite the group's best efforts, they could not pinpoint the fourth member of their team. The party contacted 911 via a satellite device, and Kittitas County Search and Rescue responded to the area on Friday evening. Additional rescue efforts were postponed until daylight. Search and Rescue then returned to the site on Saturday and were joined by NWAC forecasters. The teams were able to locate the remaining victim. Unfortunately, neither of the fully buried skier survived. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of those involved in this avalanche accident. S-SE aspect, 6200ft, Avg Depth 2ft, HS-AS-R3-D2.5-O

Each day is trending slightly warmer in the East Central. So far, wet snow instabilities have been slow to materialzie with the exception of steep solar aspects. These warming-induced avalanche concerns should be more pronounced as freezing levels continue to climb or during periods with rainfall. We suspect these warmer temperatures will also help the old, stiff wind slabs gain strength, but the consequences remain devastating if they fail. These hard wind slabs are tricky business and require patience with careful terrain selection. 

This past week, weather stations reported 1.7-2.1 inches for the southwest corner of the zone, 1.3 inches for the northwest, and 0.2-0.8 inches for the Mission Ridge area. These precipitation totals equated to approximately 1-2 ft of new snow that fell over a crust buried on January 3rd. In general, most avalanche activity has been confined to wind-drifted terrain, with a couple of known avalanches failing on the January 3rd crust, including the avalanche on Long Pass and one at Stevens Pass. Observers have reported mixed test results on this January 3rd crust. In some locations, the overlying snow is well bonded, while in other areas in the region, observers have found weak snow above this crust. 

We’re heading into a dry, warmer pattern, so we suspect wind slab avalanche activity to decrease, but it's definitely worth digging down to a crust 1-2 ft down before engaging with steeper, wind-drifted terrain in the upcoming days.  Good observations and terrain choice will, as always, be the best way to manage uncertainty. 

Despite the new snow, the snowpack remains thin in the eastern mountains. In choosing terrain, consider the consequences of a slide. Look for slopes with a clean runout free of bone-breaking trees, creeks, and rocks. 

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