East Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Payton Schiff
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 LineNew snow and wind will have built small but surprising slabs of wind drifted snow on downwind slopes at upper elevations. Be more cautious around steep slopes where you could be knocked over and carried into cliffs, rocks, and trees below.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 2, 2026
7500-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-3000ft0 - No Rating
Friday, April 3, 2026
7500-6000ft2 - Moderate
6000-5000ft1 - Low
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
(12/7/2025)
You might see small wind lips and pillowy surfaces such as these features on Fifes Ridge that indicated wind loading.
Photo: Joe Dellaporta
Any slab formation in new snow is happening over weak snow and slick crusts. So, despite being very small, avalanches could be surprisingly reactive. Wind slabs typically form just below exposed ridgelines. If you plan to recreate in this kind of terrain, you can look for signs of wind drift, such as active drifting along ridgelines, textured/uneven surfaces, and fresh cornice/wind lip formation. Wind-drifted snow is clearly unstable if you see long shooting cracks from your equipment or natural avalanches. Jump on a small test slope to see how easily the new snow slides. An avalanche probably won't be big enough to bury you, but given our low snowpack and the abundance of exposed hazards, the consequences of being caught and carried are increased.
In sheltered terrain, new snow may slide easily on the old snow surface. So small but fast-running dry loose avalanches could also be a concern in steep terrain.
Forecast Discussion
A delayed storm track, finicky weather station data, and no recent observations have us a little April Fooled as to avalanche conditions in East South. A few inches of snow likely fell at upper elevations on Wednesday. Another inch will fall Thursday night, accompanied by increasing wind. Wind speeds will remain elevated on Thursday after snowfall has ended. You'll probably encounter much more wintry conditions as you get to upper elevations on Thursday.
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. Over the weekend, at nearby White Pass, an NWAC forecaster reported roughly 6 inches of new snow on shaded aspects, triggering small pockets of wind slabs on those 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. With additional snowfall on Wednesday, this could become a perfect setup for widespread, but likely small, avalanches.
The robust 3/25 crust is creating slick travel conditions. 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.
The prolonged warm spell in March 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.