Boletín de aludes

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
Ver en el mapa

Peligro de aludes

Sun
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
2 · Moderado
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
Open full map
Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 7 months ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Limit your exposure to steep, sun-exposed slopes, glide cracks, and cornices that may shed snow as warm temperatures persist. Be especially cautious and move quickly in confined alpine terrain, where wet avalanches can start above you and funnel into narrow features.

Problemas de aludes

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1.5–2.5

    Glide avalanches continue to release naturally and unpredictably across the west side of the Cascades. While the chances of witnessing one are low, the consequences would be high if one released in terrain above you. Recent glide avalanches have been observed on both sunny and shaded slopes. Crusty snow surfaces do not mean glide avalanches are unlikely. 

    This isn’t necessarily a “no-go” situation. Identify glide cracks and other overhead hazards before you are directly below them, give them a wide berth, and move quickly through the impact zone if no alternative exists. Do not stop, regroup, or linger below unstable-looking snow.

    Glide avalanches are difficult to predict and cannot be evaluated with snowpits or other stability tests. They are also nearly impossible to trigger and will release naturally on their own timeline—regardless of whether you are in the way.

    (1/15/2026)

    The rocky bed surfaces of recent glide avalanches and glide cracks, where more could release with continued warming.

    Photo: Jere Burrell - Guided Exposure

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    Observers noted softening snow surfaces and fresh rollerballs initiating from rocky terrain on Friday. With additional warming, we could see wet loose avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes—especially south-facing terrain.

    Pay attention to what’s above you as the sun warms the snow surface. Limit your exposure to steep slopes where you see active signs of instability, such as rollerballs, shedding snow, or small loose avalanches. A refrozen or supportable surface reduces the likelihood of wet loose avalanches, but expect conditions to change quickly with solar input.

    (12/5/2024)

    This is the kind of steep, south facing terrain that could produce wet loose avalanches this weekend.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

After losing nearly one-third of its total depth over the past week, the snowpack has reached a plateau in settlement. Clear nights have allowed surface crusts to form despite above-freezing temperatures, and these crusts have softened on sun-exposed slopes. Even with sun-softened snow, conditions remain rugged, with undulating, rain-affected surfaces making travel difficult for some.

Avalanche activity has been sporadic, making it difficult to pin down the exact timing of recent events. Bare rock from recent glide avalanches and a newer-looking wet slab crown have been observed West North, though only one avalanche was directly witnessed. A team in Snoqualmie Pass had a close call in alpine terrain with shedding snow on Thursday, and a handful of large glide avalanches were reported from around Chair Peak on Friday. All looked fresh enough to suggest they released over the last few days. Abundant debris from wet loose, glide, and wet slab avalanches is visible across all aspects and elevations. Most of this activity occurred during heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday. 

Regiones cubiertas