East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Josh Hirshberg
Issued: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWhile conditions are generally safe, you could encounter small roller balls or loose avalanches running on steep slopes. Consider the consequences of even very small avalanches when traveling in extremely steep terrain. Light snow on Wednesday will increase overnight as winds become westerly.
Avalanche Danger
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
8000-6500ft1 - Low
6500-5000ft1 - Low
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Thursday, April 2, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low | 2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Forecast Discussion
The East North zone could receive 1-2" of warm snow on Wednesday, and even in the eastern mountains near Loup Loup Pass and Mazama. While conditions are generally safe, you may see some small roller balls at low elevations due to moist snow falling on weak surfaces. If you see actual avalanches, wet or dry, know that you are dealing with more elevated avalanche conditions. Snowfall and westerly winds will increase on Wednesday night, raising the avalanche danger.
Cold temperatures have weakened surfaces, especially on shady northerly aspects at middle and upper elevations. With snow on the way, now is a good time to track surface conditions and the bond to the underlying crust. As the new snow accumulates, avalanches could be easy to trigger. On the 29th, a skier triggered a small wind slab avalanche on Silverstar Mountain at 7,200ft on a northeast aspect. Incoming snow and wind could again make it easier to trigger avalanches in wind-drifted snow by Thursday.
In sheltered areas at mid and upper elevations, ~6-10" of settled storm snow from last week sits above the most recent crust. In wind-exposed locations, the recent snow is heavily textured and drifted. On sunny slopes, slick crusts are on, or just below, the surface. After several days of sunshine and diurnal spring temperature swings, you'll encounter variable surface conditions, including crusts that vary with aspect and elevation.
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.
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.