Triggering avalanches in recently wind drifted snow, primarily near treeline and above treeline, will be likely. Avalanches have the potential to be large. Triggering avalanches in the recent storm snow will also possible. Be cautious in and around terrain that can increase the consequence of getting caught in an avalanche, such as constrictions, gully features, rocks, and cliffs. Minimize exposure to avalanches by steering around common trigger points like steep convex rolls, unsupported slopes, and by sticking to low angle terrain.
Most storm slabs will be small. However, pay attention to where small avalanches can push you into terrain traps like constrictions, cliffs, or trees. Steep, convex, and unsupported terrain are the places where you are more likely to trigger a storm slab.
On Wednesday I observed constant blowing snow near treeline. Slight changes in aspect made a lot of difference in how much wind deposted snow was accumulating on lee terrain features. Keep that in mind on Thursday and remember that some slopes will have almost no wind deposits while other pockets of terrain will have significant wind slabs. Below ridges and high points are common places where wind slabs form. Wind moving snow across a slope can fill in gully features and is also something to watch for especially in steep terrain.
Use low angle terrain or small test slopes to check depth and reactivity of wind slabs. If you see cracking in the slab or previous avalanches, these are good indicators of unstable snow.
Open slopes below treeline may also have wind slabs. Areas of dead or sparse trees, exposed ridges, and clearings can have enough of a wind effect to get wind slab formation. On wedesday, I observed blowing snow in clearings below treeline.
(3/4/2026)
A wind slab avalanche in the Tumalo Bowl. The debris ran most of the way down the bowl. This was likely triggered by a natural cornice break in the early morning hours on Wednesday. Despite the long runout, the avalanche appeared to be shallow and on the small side (D1). East aspect, near treeline.
Photo: Aaron Hartz
Prior to the storm, observers found surface hoar on protected shaded slopes. Storm slab and wind slab avalanches initiating on top of buried surface hoar will have the potential to propagate wider and run farther.
Recently formed cornices will be fragile and easily broken. Avoid stepping out onto a cornice. They can break under the weight of a person and can lead to a fall onto the slope below. Be cautious when approaching ridge tops, especially if you don't have a good vantage to see if a cornice is present or not. Cornice breaks may also trigger wind slab avalanches on lee slopes.
