Boletín de aludes

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
2 · Moderado
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 2 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Avalanche activity may first predominantly exist on wind-loaded features. As snow accumulates and temperatures increase, you can expect more widespread avalanches on an increasing number of steep slopes. Start by avoiding steep wind-loaded slopes and dial your terrain selection back further when more than a few inches of snow lies over the old snow layer.

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1

    Rain and warmer temperatures in the lower elevation band mean that you may see wet loose avalanches. These could occur naturally, or with a human trigger. If snow is sticky or wet, start thinking about wet avalanches. Scan nearby steep slopes for rollerball activity or small slides. If you see activity, avoid steep slopes and the areas beneath these slopes. If you enter steep terrain, you may trigger small wet slides as well. 

    (2/18/2025)

    Wet loose avalanches that occurred the previous day in the Baker Backcountry.

    Photo: Zack McGill - Cascade Mtn Ascents

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1–2

    At higher elevations, more wind will likely create more reactive slabs. Search for thicker, heavier deposits and textured or pillowlike surfaces. No matter the time of day, these steep slopes are where you'll be most likely to trigger an avalanche. Avoid wind-loaded slopes greater than 35°.

    Increasing temperatures mean even non-wind-loaded slopes could develop into reactive slabs as the day progresses. You can use small test slopes or simple hand tests, given the relatively small amount of snow that has fallen to determine how snow is bonding to the underlying layer. If snowfall amounts start nearing 6 inches, or if you start noticing slightly heavier snow over a lighter underlying layer, then avoid travel on all steep slopes. 

    We expect most avalanches to fail at the new snow/old snow interface, so aside from the odd wind slab, they will probably be less than a foot deep. At higher elevations, there's a small chance avalanches could be deeper, taking some of the snow we received over the weekend with them, which means there's a slight chance of avalanches 2 feet in depth or more. 

    (2/15/2025)

    Small, touchy slabs in the Baker backcountry, similar to what might happen on Wednesday. 

    Photo: Matt Lubar - Cascade Mtn Ascents

Avalanche Discussion

Over the weekend, we received around a foot of snow, and conditions went from touchy on Sunday, with widespread small human-triggered storm slab avalanches, but by Monday, there was much less activity. In the last couple days, the lower and most of the mid-elevation bands had gotten wet, and at least a subtle crust exists in most areas. Plenty of small semi-hard debris piles exist as well. New snow could slide easily on the firmer underlying layer, but we also have a lot of uncertainty and who knows - maybe it will bond well. 

The recent storm tested the persistent slab, which is now buried 3-4+ feet beneath the surface. One avalanche was seen on Video Peak in the Baker backcountry. It likely failed during peak instability on Sunday and is partially filled in. From the photos (media gallery), it looks deeper than other recent avalanches. An incoming warm wet storm this weekend will further test this layer.

If you get out in the backcountry, please share what you see by submitting an observation HERE or on the Avy App. 

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