Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Increased sunshine and persistent mild temperatures may lead to additional wet snow avalanches on or below sunny terrain.  Caution is still warranted on steep wind-loaded slopes; recent evidence says you could still trigger a slab avalanche.  Give ridgelines with cornices a wide berth, and don't linger on slopes exposed to this overhead hazard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    After a mixed bag of cloud cover on Wednesday,  we should see more sunshine on Thursday for mid and upper elevations above any lingering low clouds and valley fog.   Surface crusts that form on Wednesday night should break down with the mild temperatures and sun.  We're a few days into this warm period, so wet loose activity may not be widespread, but you'll still need to stay on your toes and watch for wet, gloppy surface conditions and signs of increasing wet snow instability.

    With roughly a foot of settled storm snow above the uppermost crust at mid and upper elevations, wet loose avalanches that start small may become large on open slopes with a long run.  Make sure to look up -  wet loose avalanches could release from above, especially from steep sunny slopes and below rock bands warming in the sun.  Cornices are large and overhung; until conditions cool, don't hang out on slopes below them.  They are a hazard in their own right, and they can trigger avalanches on slopes below.  

    Lower elevations have less recent snow and will be colder below the inversion.  If you're in areas with wet surface snow, use caution near terrain traps where even a small wet loose avalanche could knock you off your feet and lead to a poor outcome. 

    (1/14/2026)

    Loose wet avalanches, broken cornices, and wind features. Hinkhouse Peak. S, 7,400ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs may still break above the 1/28 crust at mid and upper elevations.  Use the most caution on lee slopes where winds have drifted recent snow deeper.  An intentionally human-triggered avalanche on the east aspect at upper elevations on Wednesday showed that we're not out of the woods yet.  The avalanche may have failed on weak snow above the 1/28 crust. 

    You're unlikely to receive obvious feedback from the snowpack in the form of red flags, given that there's been no new loading and several days have passed since the last natural avalanche.  Tread carefully in wind-loaded terrain, observing the thickness of recent storm snow on different aspects, and gauging the terrain you're connected to if you did trigger an avalanche.  You can avoid these avalanches by steering around drifts or sticking to wind-sheltered terrain.  And of course, keep your distance from cornices, as they can be the right trigger to unleash a larger avalanche on the slopes below.

    (2/4/2026)

    An intentionally triggered wind slab that ran on the 1/28 crust ~16" (40cm) below the surface. Size D1.5. Swamp Creek, 7,500ft, ESS-ASc-D1.5-O

    Photo: NCH

Avalanche Discussion

8-14" of recent storm snow has been reported above the 1/28 crust.  On Wednesday, professionals in the Washington Pass area observed small but widespread wet loose activity from Tuesday.  Weak faceted snow above the 1/28 crust was the likely culprit in an intentionally triggered slab avalanche on an E aspect of Tower Mt.  On Monday, professionals in the Harts Pass area found shallow but reactive wind slabs in isolated areas, as well as ongoing drifting.  

After a wet and mild end to January and first few days of February, we'll be entering our 3rd day with upper mountain temperatures above freezing.  Don't let the spring-like weather and improved travel conditions bring your guard down. If you're out, stop and assess the snowpack and share what you see. 

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