Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avoid steep slopes and features that are building fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. If you see widespread signs of instability and natural avalanches, then the danger is locally higher and limit your exposure to all wind loaded slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong easterly winds will ramp up overnight and last through most of Thursday. East winds tend to have varying effects depending on your location in the forecast zone. Some areas will see strong winds, significant wind transport, and slab formation while others will experience tamer conditions.

    Fresh slabs will form over a combination of crust, faceted snow, and surface hoar. This can result in more reactivity than usual. While most avalanches should be small, some could be larger and possibly step down and trigger an avalanche that releases in deeper layers. 

    You can assess the stability of fresh wind slabs, but the best option will be to avoid steep slopes accumulating wind drifted snow. If you witness extensive wind transport and natural avalanches it might be wise to limit your exposure to big slopes overhead that are loading up.

    (2/12/2025)

    This small wind slab was remotely trigged. It probably formed over a crust topped with a thin layer of facets or surface hoar. Artist Point, south aspect, at 5100'. 

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

Observers around West North reported pockets of fresh wind slab that likely formed overnight Tuesday. One small slab on a mid-elevation, south-facing slope was remotely triggered. Others found very small, shallow wind slabs that were reactive when tested. Wind slabs were also found in other parts of the forecast zone this week with one resulting in a partial burial.

Cold dry snow is still found in most shaded and sheltered terrain while crust is found on slopes facing the sun. Continued clear skies and cool temperatures have enabled faceting in the uppermost layers with surface hoar and more faceted snow found topping the snowpack. 

Buried weak layers that produced avalanches two weekends ago have trended more resistant in testing and less likely to propagate. Also, no human-triggered avalanches - that were suspected of releasing at either the 1/31 or 1/10 interfaces - have been reported since Sunday, February 2nd.  The layering in question can be found between 1.5-4' deep where the top layers of snow meet a crust or denser layer. We may see more action from these layer as fresh snowfall in the forecast adds additional load. 

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