Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Wed
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Although danger is Low in most areas, glide avalanches remain a concern. It’s still not the time to linger beneath gaping glide cracks, isolated snow patches on rock, or wrinkled snow on steep faces. Keep scanning above you and move quickly through, or around, these features.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Glide Cracks

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    We remain concerned about glide avalanches in terrain that produces them. In the West North zone, where conditions are probably similar, notable glide cracks continued to grow on Monday. As of forecast time, we haven't heard about any actual new glide avalanches, but we're not ready to pull the plug on this problem just yet.

    Identify glide cracks and other overhead hazards like blocks of snow still clinging to steep rock faces, or wrinkly snow patches on steep faces, before you are directly below them. Give them a wide berth, avoid the area completely, or travel hastily beneath them if you must be in that area. Do not stop, regroup, or linger below these areas of unstable-looking snow. 

    (1/17/2026)

    Large debris piles covering a common skintrack in the West North zone . This glide avalanche was witnessed midday Friday. This is a low likelihood, high consequence scenario. If you were traveling underneath this when the avalanche happened, it would probably kill you. 

Avalanche Discussion

A forecaster in the Hidden Lakes area, just north of the West Central zone, on Monday found hard snow surfaces with less rain impact, including smaller runnels and fewer signs of recent avalanche activity. Snow cover was thinner there, and temperatures have remained cooler farther east. They didn't feel as much of a concern for lingering glide problems. 

You may be wondering why danger isn’t rated Low, like in much of the Cascades. There are a few reasons we’re still holding onto Moderate. At least the northern half of the West Central zone received significantly more rain during the Jan 12–13 atmospheric river than most areas. In addition, we’ve continued to receive near-daily reports of growing glide cracks or glide releases in the West North zone, where conditions are most similar. Temperatures will need to cool further, or we’ll need several days without new reports, before we’re comfortable dropping this problem and shifting to Low danger.

In the meantime, many areas can be treated as Low danger if you’re not seeing signs outlined in the Glide Avalanche Problem. Continue to stay aware of your surroundings, carry rescue gear, and use safe travel practices. Regarding snow surfaces, we can say with confidence that they are firm and bumpy. This means travel may be tricky if you're sliding on boards or sledding, but it's a great time for traveling at walking speed right now. Consider carrying ice axes and crampons if you plan on going anywhere steep.

Midday, steep south-facing slopes have been softening. It may be a little windy Tuesday morning, but wind is expected to die down in the afternoon. Temperatures may be a degree or two colder, but otherwise, expect much the same for conditions. 

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