Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You're more likely to trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow at upper elevations on Saturday. Look for textured surfaces or firm drifts to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. Even small avalanches can be a problem if you're in consequential terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1

    Low-density snow from Wednesday's storm may have been drifted into thicker slabs during the tail end of the workweek. Look for these at upper elevations or in extreme terrain, mainly on the shaded half of the dial. They may be easier to trigger on convex rollovers, unsupported slopes, or in rocky terrain, such as near the base of cliffs or in confined chutes. 

    With a generally thin snowpack this season, rocks are more prevalent. This increases the amount of terrain where slabs could exist or be easily triggered. Slabs could be in areas where you're not used to finding them. As you travel, look for visual clues and feel for changes in the snow's depth or stiffness to help you identify wind-loaded features to avoid.

    (3/26/2026)

    Wind-textured surfaces and stiffer-feeling snow are indications that wind slabs could exist on nearby slopes. 

    Photo: White Pass Pro Patrol

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1

    After two days of sunshine and now a cooling trend on the horizon, the threat of natural wet loose slides has lessened. However, if the sun is strong and the temps are warm, you may find that you can push moist snow on steep, sun-exposed slopes. Will the resulting pile be large enough to call a consequential avalanche? Not likely, but we'll allow that it could reach that threshold in isolated locations. 

    If you're sinking into moist snow deeper than your ankle, you might be able to trigger a small wet avalanche. Don't let one of these small slides push you into a terrain trap.

    (12/13/2025)

    Measuring how deep your boot sinks into the snow is a good way to track wet, weak snow on the surface. If you're deeper than your ankle, you can assume slides may be large enough to be consequential.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The West South zone received roughly 4-6" of snow during Wednesday's storm, burying the 3/25 crust in the process. Whether a loose slide on a sun-exposed slope or a shallow wind slab, we are only concerned about avalanches occurring above this easily identifiable snowpack marker.

Since the storm, the snowpack has become aspect-dependent. On slopes that typically receive direct sunshine, you'll find that the snow has moistened and may contain a surface crust in the morning hours. On more shaded aspects, cold, dry snow likely still exists in sheltered terrain. Wind-exposed terrain likely consists of a patchwork of scoured, firm surfaces (the 3/25) and pockets of wind-drifted snow. If you're headed high on a volcano or into extreme terrain, you may find higher storm totals and thicker wind slabs.

The new snow has likely helped alleviate or temporarily mask some travel conditions. But open creeks and holes, frozen avalanche debris, down trees, slick crusts, and bare ground are commonplace right now, particularly at lower elevations or on southerly aspects. Give yourself extra time to manage these hazards.

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