Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person on slopes greater than 35 degrees. The most dangerous conditions exist in wind loaded alpine terrain. Seek out lower-angled and wind-sheltered slopes to reduce your risk.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Give new and wind drifted snow time to settle and stabilize. Fresh slabs will become more sensitive to triggers as you climb up in elevation. Be especially cautious of slopes below cornices, convexities, gullies, and areas around rocky outcrops. Slabs could break several feet thick within wind drifted snow and the slick 12/21 crust below could act as a good sliding surface for avalanches. Another few inches of snow overnight Saturday will bring snow totals since Christmas day to 1-2ft. The new snow may also mask previously wind drifted slopes making it challenging to identify wind slabs. Ease into terrain slowly on Sunday and carefully evaluate the snowpack as you travel. Look for recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapses as red flags of unstable snow, and don't get lured into bigger terrain as the skies clear in the afternoon.

    (12/22/20) An example of a fresh wind slab avalanche that occurred on a NE aspect at 5000ft near Stevens Pass

Avalanche Discussion

Recent snowfall was associated with strong southerly winds that redistributed the snow into deeper drifts in leeward terrain. Several triggered avalanches were reported in the adjacent Mt. Baker area Saturday failing about 1ft deep within wind drifted snow. Poor visibility limited observations above treeline. Expect a few more inches of new snow by Sunday morning before conditions dry out and winds decrease. Clouds should linger through the morning with the best chance for sunny skies in the afternoon. Keep a close eye on steep, rocky, sun-exposed slopes where solar radiation may be strong enough to destabilize snow surfaces and create small loose avalanches. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

Regions covered