East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Josh Hirshberg
Issued: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineYou could trigger avalanches on steep slopes where you find 3" or more of new snow, especially where the wind forms fresh drifts. Watch for actively blowing snow near ridges and at the base of cliffs as a sign of the danger. Steer around fresh pillows of drifted snow on slopes over 35 degrees.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 2, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Friday, April 3, 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. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/18/2026)
An example of a shallow wind slab avalanche on Silver Star Mtn, middle elevation, N-NE
Photo: NCH
The East North zone will receive just enough new snow and wind to build shallow slabs of snow by Thursday afternoon. Watch for small drifts on leeward slopes, immediately below ridges and cliffs, or in cross-loaded gullies. Steer around convex roll-overs and shallow pillows of drifted snow on steep slopes.
Watch for blowing snow to indicate where you can trigger avalanches. The East North zone could receive 3-4" of snow on Wednesday night into Thursday. Westerly winds could gust up to 30mph.
Forecast Discussion
In addition to wind slab avalanches, be alert to triggering small loose dry avalanches in wind-sheltered terrain. Both the new snow falling on old weak snow surfaces and a chance for sun could be contributing factors. If you see the sun shining on slopes that have accumulated new snow, you could encounter some small loose avalanches. Cold temperatures have weakened the old snow, especially on shady northerly aspects at middle and upper elevations. 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. The new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces. In sheltered areas at mid and upper elevations, there's 6-10" of settled storm snow 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.
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.