Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It is possible that you could trigger a small avalanche in wind drifted snow at upper elevations. Search for heavier and thicker drifts and consider what terrain an avalanche in that drift might carry you through if it knocked you off your feet on a steep slope. Travel is challenging on all south aspects and terrain beneath 4000ft, where there is only a thin coating of new snow on top of a hard, bumpy surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    There was a report of a small, human-triggered wind slab avalanche above treeline in the West Central Zone on Sunday. Small existing wind slabs could have the addition of a little storm Monday night, depositing two to four inches of snow in the West Central Zone. Light to moderate winds could drift snow into thicker and more reactive pockets. It is possible that you could trigger a small slab avalanche in these drifts on leeward slopes, in gullies, and around rocky features.  They could slide easily on underlying crusts, which exist on south-facing slopes and in other areas, mainly below 5500ft, as well. 

    Any avalanches which you trigger are probably not large enough to bury or kill you, but think about the terrain you might end up in in the unlikely event of triggering a small slide. Consider avoiding steep slopes where you encounter these thicker drifts. As always, if you see cracking or are able to push snow and make little pockets slide on small steep slopes, think about the consequences if you triggered an avalanche before stepping out onto a nearby large, steep slope.

    It is possible you could trigger small wnd slab avalanches, like the one on this test slope where a skier triggered this small avalanche  in wind drifted snow that broke 3-6in deep and 15ft wide. 

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

In non wind-loaded areas there is a small chance that you could encounter loose snow avalanches. Upper elevation northerly slopes might sluff, or have small loose dry avalanches with a human trigger. They are probably not large enough to cause you harm, but if you notice them, stay alert to the consequences if one were to catch you..

Regions covered