Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Heightened avalanche danger continues as temperatures stay unusually warm. Wet avalanche activity will increase as the day heats up, and direct sunlight hits the slopes. If you notice you're sinking into soft mushy snow, or notice an increase in roller ball or avalanche activity, look toward shady, low angle slopes for safer conditions. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Thursdays avalanche problem will be fairly similar to Wednesday. Overall, activity should be minimal during the early morning hours, while temperatures are at their coolest. As the sun comes out, expect wet avalanche activity to increase on sun-exposed, southerly aspects. A valley temperature inversion may keep lower elevations cooler, likely delaying the onset of warming issues. Remember, upper elevations will stay much warmer than lower elevations overnight, thus you will climb into an increasing avalanche problem as you gain elevation. There's also a chance for elevated wind and a slight temperature dip, which could help slow surface warming.

    If you start sinking into soft, mushy snow, or if snow begins sticking to your ski poles, sled track, or skis, it’s time to move to shadier aspects or lower-angle terrain. Don't hang out under steep, rocky terrain, as there's still a chance of snow shedding from above. 

    (1/13/2026)

    Roller balls and small, wet loose avalanche activity near White Pass

    Photo: White Pass Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures remained impressively warm on Wednesday across the West South zone. Daytime highs included 50°F at Crystal Mountain (6,830’), 56°F at White Pass (4,800’), and 57°F at Paradise (5,400’). Even Camp Muir reached 39°F at 10,110’. Temperatures may cool a few degrees on Thursday, but the overall pattern of unseasonably warm weather will continue.

In general, most areas saw an increase in small surface instabilities such as roller balls and small point-release wet loose avalanches on Wednesday. There have been minimal reports of large avalanche activity. An icy, surface crust has developed in areas that were able to freeze overnight. Sun cupping has also begun in the particularly sunny zones.

The warm temperatures are certainly lowering snow coverage and changing access across the zone. As each warm day passes, expect more rocks, stumps, and other earthly objects to return to the surface, along with widening rivers, and weakening snow bridges. If you're headed into backcountry, plan for some re-routing as the access/descent line may be deteriorating. 

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