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

We don't have much information in the West Central zone, but wind-drifted pockets could still exist at upper elevations that you could trigger an avalanche in. Steer around wind deposits on steep terrain, especially with bad runouts and terrain traps, at upper elevations on Tuesday. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slabs up high, even if small, could cause harm if you trigger an avalance in steep, exposed, high-consequence terrain. Many areas you travel to could have low danger. However, we've got uncertainty at upper elevations and enough of a concern to not quite put us into green all around. 

    Shallow new drifts may build on Tuesday. Recently formed deposits are where you're most likely to trigger an avalanche. Any drifts may only be noticeable once you transition over a onto a new aspect, albeit subtle. Pause before you head onto a steep slope with dangerous terrain traps below you. Consider avoiding these steep, high-consequence features if you identify thicker wind deposits, and especially if there are any red flags such as long, shooting cracks from your feet or sled. 

    Example photo: a steep gully where you wouldn't want to trigger and get caught in a small slab avalanche due to hazardous features that could hurt you. 

Avalanche Discussion

Neighboring zones, where more information exists, have a few different avalanche problems going on. Many areas have wind slab problems, some more reactive than others, and a few zones have also got deep persistent slab concerns as well. There may be a weak layer above the 12/30 crust, buried 3 feet or more down in the West Central zone. We don't suspect a human could trigger an avalanche on this layer, however. 

We'll be getting snow Tuesday night. We suspect that the cold temperatures formed faceted, weak snow layers at or near the surface throughout the zone.  In general, wind-affected surfaces are abundant, yet low-density snow still exists in many areas. We've got quite a patchwork of snow surfaces that will react in different ways with added snow, something to keep in mind when more snow is added. Backcountry users are still reporting thinner snowpacks at lower elevations, where trees, rocks, and possibly frozen-over creeks are still exposed or just barely hidden. 

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