Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Triggering an avalanche remains likely at upper elevations in the West South zone. Although the larger and easier-to-identify slabs could be in wind-loaded terrain, you will need to manage storm snow on all slopes over 35 degrees. Unusual avalanches have started to occur so make more observations than normal before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    This past storm was dynamic across the zone. The volcanoes received heavier and deeper storm totals, meaning you may find an upside-down snowpack. Closer to the crest, winds were stronger but temps cooler.  You may find more wind slabs, but a subtle layer near the base of the snow produced widespread avalanche activity on Friday, even in sheltered terrain (more on that in the discussion). Regardless of your location, use uptrack tests, small test slopes, and quick hand pits to look at the most recent interface for failures. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or collapses are an easy way to know that the snowpack is unhappy and you should head for lower-angled terrain. These tips will work well for both storm and wind slabs. You should ease into terrain slowly, making plenty of observations. When in doubt, avoid slopes over 35 degrees.

    (1/3/2025)

    A human-triggered avalanche near White Pass. This slide broke widely and was triggered from further back on the ridge. [N 5500']

Avalanche Discussion

Plenty of avalanche activity was reported on Friday, as a dynamic storm impacted the West South zone. NWAC forecasters were at Crystal Mountain and Paradise and had different types of days, but both observed notable avalanche activity. Shallow soft slabs were easily triggered near Crystal Mountain, failing on a subtle crust at the base of the new snow (1/2 interface). Over at Paradise, a large natural avalanche was observed in what is typically thought of as somewhat benign terrain. Below the surface, multiple interfaces from this past week's stormy weather are still identifiable in both locations. At Crystal Mountain, an extended column test fully propagated on a layer roughly 8" below the surface. 

Further south along the crest, avalanche professionals near White Pass remotely triggered an avalanche roughly 1 foot deep near a treed ridgeline. The depth and reactivity of this slab match reports from NWAC forecasters in the neighboring East South zone, where they are now forecasting a persistent slab issue. We're not ready to take that leap yet, but if extended column tests keep propagating, and we see continued avalanche activity, we may get there.

In the meantime, approach slopes with suspicion and take the time to investigate the snowpack before committing to terrain. If slabs fail on persistent grains, they could break widely or connect terrain features. Although we expect the majority of avalanches to be confined to the upper part of the snowpack, we wouldn't be surprised to hear of one breaking deeper or stepping down to a layer from earlier this week.

If you're planning on visiting Mount St. Helens or Mount Adams, you should take a look at the Hood forecast as well. Then send us an observation about what you find out there.

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