East Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
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 LineA moderate storm will favor the southern and eastern Cascades. Increasing snow and winds will build reactive slabs where you could trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow on steep slopes below ridgelines. Steer around steep terrain if you observe active drifting or long cracks in wind stiffened snow.
Avalanche Danger
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
7500-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft0 - No Rating
Thursday, April 2, 2026
7500-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft0 - No Rating
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
(1/7/2024)
Small test slopes are a great way to test for wind slab instabilities. Small slabs like this are a good indication to avoid steep wind-loaded terrain.
Photo: Joseph Labernik
As the afternoon progresses, snowfall and winds will increase. This isn't a powerful storm, but the storm track favors our eastern mountains, and small wind slabs will quickly form on lee slopes below ridgelines. These slabs are likely to form over weak, faceted snow and slick crusts. So, despite being small, avalanches could be surprisingly reactive.
Look for active drifted along ridgelines, textured surfaces, cornice formations, and deep drifts to help you identify wind-loaded slopes. Natural avalanches and long shooting cracks are bullseye information that wind-drifted snow is unstable. You can also use small test slopes to assess new snow reactivity. If it slides easily or triggers a mini-avalanche, steer clear of steep slopes and features. Avalanches may be small, but with our low snowpack, there are many exposed obstacles to be dragged into, increasing the consequences of getting caught.
In sheltered terrain, new snow may slide easily on the old snow surface. So fast-running, dry loose avalanches could also be a concern in steep terrain.
Forecast Discussion
This storm is moving in from the south, which is a favorable direction for easterly flow and snow in the eastern mountains. By the end of the day, the area could pick up over 5" of fresh snow. The storm will intensify throughout the day, with increasing snowfall rates and wind during the afternoon.
Recent observations have been minimal in the East South. An NWAC forecaster out in the East Central zone on Tuesday found a poor bond with the 3/25 crust and weak, faceted snow on the surface on northerly terrain at upper elevations. With additional snowfall on Wednesday, this could become a perfect setup for widespread, but likely small, avalanches. Over the weekend, at nearby White Pass, an NWAC forecaster reported roughly 6 inches of new snow on shaded aspects and triggered small pockets of wind slabs on these same aspects. They reported variable, often breakable travel on E-S-W aspects. Expect less recent snow in the East South, but you may find similar, softer riding conditions on northerlies, with variable travel on other aspects.
The robust 3/25 crust is creating slick travel conditions, and while 5" of snow over the top will help a bit, conditions are still likely to be slick. So, consider bringing traction and self-arrest tools, especially in steeper terrain. It's also worth giving yourself some extra time to access and exit the mountains.
Last week’s warm spell decimated the already struggling East South snowpack. Below 5,000 ft, snow coverage is too limited for avalanche danger at this time—so we’re issuing a No Rating for lower elevations. You can still find rideable snow at middle and upper elevations.
Are you heading out? We could use the observations in this zone. Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.
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.