Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Expect strong sun and above-average temperatures through the weekend. Limit exposure to cliffs shedding snow, glide cracks, and cornices, especially where they are exposed to the sun. Travel conditions should be challenging, with a mix of soft, wet snow and slick, frozen crusts.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Glide Cracks

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

    Warm temperatures mean snow will continue to shed from cliffs, glide cracks will keep opening until they release, and sagging cornices may fail. The risk from these hazards won’t go away until temperatures cool or the snow melts. The risk of one of these avalanches is highest during the heat of the day, but there is still a slight chance of one releasing at any time, on any aspect.

    These are low-likelihood events that tend to occur in very specific types of terrain, but you definitely don’t want to be in the path of one releasing above you. Give plenty of space to cliffs, glide cracks, and any area where the snow looks poorly attached to the mountain.

    (1/14/2026)

    Numerous glide cracks and a fresh glide avalanche on the east face of Herman. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Loose Wet

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

    Snowpack observations indicate we are unlikely to see additional wet loose avalanches in the coming days. The main exception could be steep southerly slopes, especially at upper elevations. If one were to occur, it would most likely be in steep, rocky terrain or from cliffs shedding snow.

    Keep an eye on what’s above you as the sun makes a warm day even warmer. Avoid travel on or directly below steep slopes where you see active signs of wet avalanche instability, such as rollerballs, shedding snow, or small avalanches. If the snow surface is topped by a frozen crust, wet loose avalanches are unlikely.

    (12/31/2025)

    Steep, south-facing alpine terrain is where wet loose avalanches are still possible. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures are well above freezing and the sun will shine through the weekend, but widespread wet avalanche activity is not expected.So far, observations suggest the upper snowpack was heavily impacted by rain and has undergone significant settlement, limiting the potential for additional melting and increased reactivity. This may not hold true in alpine terrain that received more snow and less rain during the last storm. Instability could also increase if the snowpack becomes wet and sloppy again under continued sun and above-freezing temperatures.

Observers in the Baker Backcountry noted widespread avalanche debris and glide cracks, but no new avalanche activity was reported as of late Wednesday afternoon. Travel has been difficult due to a combination of deep rain rills (runnels), crust, avalanche debris, and moist, unsupportable snow. One observer described the snow surface as “industrial.”

Heavy rain from the last atmospheric river significantly altered the snowpack. Heather Meadows recorded roughly a 30% decrease in snow depth from a peak of 88 inches on January 8, with total settlement ranging from 15 to 40% across the forecast zone. From the surface down to the January 3 crust, the snowpack consists of moist rounds and melt forms, with no concerning layers identified. This crust is generally found 2 to 3 feet deep at mid elevations. Low elevations lost significant snow cover, but snow depths remain around 2 to 3 feet above 3,000 feet.

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