Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A mix of new snow, warming, and maybe some wind will contribute to avalanche danger on Thursday. Wet loose avalanches are possible where the sun appears. You can still trigger slabs on steep slopes, especially on rollovers or where wind has drifted snow. Watch for warming and avoid wind-loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong westerly winds are expected near the Cascade Crest, through the passes, and in exposed alpine terrain. With plenty of soft, dry snow available for transport, fresh wind slabs should start building any place that sees sustained moderate to strong winds. The greatest danger will be on slopes actively accumulating drifted snow.

    Pay attetention to new snow depth and stiffness as you gain elevation and change aspects. Use simple tests like hand shears or stomp on tiny cornices or other wind drifted features so test reactivity. The safest move will be to avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes by choosing lower-angle, less wind-loaded terrain.

    You may also find lingering reactivity in layers of new snow in wind-sheltered areas, especially as the sun appears and temperatures rise.

    (1/4/2026)

    If the winds really do get going up high, drifting snow will make it pretty obvious which slopes to avoid.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

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

    Cloud cover on Thursday is uncertain and will likely vary across the zone, but where the sun comes out, expect wet loose avalanche activity to increase. More sun and slightly warmer temperatures will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches, with larger avalanches possible on long fall-line slopes or in big alpine terrain.

    Track changes in sky cover and surface conditions throughout the day. Sticky or moist new snow, rollerballs, pinwheels, and fresh loose avalanches are clear signs that the snow is becoming unstable. If you see any of the previously listed signs of instability, scale back your exposure to steep sun-exposed terrain and avoid spending time below slopes that are heating up.

    (2/6/2026)

    Wet avalanches often initiate below cliffs, rocks and treed areas.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

No direct observations were available from the West Central zone on Wednesday, but reports from neighboring zones provide useful context. Observations from West North and Stevens Pass show that 1–2 feet of new snow from the recent storm settled quickly, with slab avalanche activity limited to steep, unsupported terrain. A few larger natural avalanches, up to D2, were observed in the Baker Backcountry of West North, but these likely occurred during the storm. In most areas, the new snow was right side up and bonded reasonably well to the underlying crust or moist snow surface.

In Stevens Pass, widespread dry loose avalanche cycle occurred during and just after the storm, but by Wednesday, these avalanches were difficult to reproduce. The more notable trend was how quickly the snow surface responded to warming. Even brief sunbreaks were enough to produce rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches on solar aspects, with snow becoming moist and heavy at lower elevations.

Wind effects were present but not always obvious. Observers noted some previous transport near ridgelines, with stiffer layers occasionally hidden beneath softer snow. Lingering wind slab concerns may exist at upper elevations, especially where drifting continues or where bonding to the April 13 crust is less certain.

Regions covered