Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could find a number of different avalanche problems, mainly on the small side but possibly dangerous if you're in high-consequence terrain. Wind-drifted snow could avalanche with a human trigger at higher elevations, and if there are any sun breaks, wet avalanches may run in the surface layer. Slow and steady snowfall will continue, totaling around 3 inches by the end of the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snow will slowly continue to stack up, and light to moderate winds may shift snow around. Wind slabs will predominantly develop at upper elevations, but you may find them at mid elevations as well. Drifts may be a foot or deeper. If you're in a scoured spot or one with only a few inches of snow over a crust, minimal danger exists. 

     Wind slabs could develop around features, in gullies, and along ridegelines. Blowing and drifting snow can show you where slabs could be developing. If wind isn't actively blowing, search for signs of wind effect like scoured snow surfaces and freshly wind-drifted snow features like mini cornices or thicker "pillows" of snow. 

    Even if drifts are small, if you're in high-consequence terrain and trigger an avalanche you could be taken for a dangerous ride. These areas, with terrain traps such as a cliff, gully, or thick trees and rocks beneath a steep slope are places to think twice about traveling onto if you have any reason to believe a slope may slide. 

    Example Photo: wind slabs may develop on steep rollovers and along ridgelines, where it's possible you could trigger an avalanche. Note the obvious signs of blowing snow. Beware of areas with terrain traps, as even a small avalanche could carry you through treacherous terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

There's a small chance a convergence could deposit a few inches more than expected in the zone. If the sun pops out or temperatures warm a little more than anticipated, small wet loose avalanches may run on steep slopes in the top few inches of previously dry, light fluffy snow. It's also not completely out of the question, although unlikely, that large, spring shed style avalanches may occur- most likely with a cornice failing, or a glide avalanche spontaneously running. As a good spring habit, give slopes beneath these features a wide berth. 

I was in the Monte Cristo area on Friday and snowshoed up to 5100ft. Consistent snow cover began at 3500ft on the southeast facing ridge I made my way up. Above 4500ft there was 4-6 inches of light, dry snow over a crust. Snow where I traveled wasn't wind-affected and it was well bonded to the crust. A few more inches will have stacked up on the existing layer by Sunday. I could punch through the crust into the underlying loose, moist snow in boots and even sometimes with snowshoes. Springlike indicators were obvious, with a rapidly shrinking snowpack at lower elevations and holes opening up in the snow around creeks, rocks, and trees. 

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