Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The sun should combine with mild temperatures to cause the surface to become wet and possibly unstable at mid and lower elevations Friday. Make observations as you travel and prepare yourself to adapt to the rapidly changing conditions. When you find wet, sticky, or punchy snow, seek out slightly firmer or lower angled terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Keep your eyes on the snow surface and monitor how it changes over the course of the day. A strong April sun should help soften the snow. If the surface gets too wet or the softened snow too deep, it could become unstable. When you begin to sink past your ankle, find wet sticky snow, or notice new rollerballs, start to anticipate the potential for loose wet avalanches. Find slightly firmer or lower angled slopes to continue your day. While loose wet slides can seem relatively easy to manage, don’t let them catch you off guard in high consequence terrain such as above a cliff or creek. 

    Several weather factors will compete to impact the snow on Friday. A strong refreeze, cool winds, and some clouds will help the surface remain firm and strong. However, we think mild temperatures and sunshine will cause the surface to weaken in all but the cloudiest locations. Expect avalanches hazard to rise on easterly facing slopes in the morning before spreading to other aspects as the day continues. At upper elevations, breezy conditions and cooler temperatures should help limit the wet snow and avalanche danger.

    (4/1/2021) A very small loose wet avalanche. Notice how it starts at a point and fans out.

Avalanche Discussion

Recent hot and sunny weather caused natural loose wet avalanches around the West South zone. You may notice avalanche activity on many aspects well into the near and possibly above treeline bands. This cycle wasn’t particularly impressive and most slides remained small. The weather from the past few days created a variety of snow surfaces. Slopes facing E-S-W underwent several melt-freeze cycles. However, you could find the effects of the warm temperatures and sun on all but the highest north-facing features. Despite the recent warm-up, you can still notice the effects of last weekend’s extreme wind event at upper elevations. 

Despite the recent spring-like weather, the snowpack at mid and upper elevations has not yet undergone its transition. You can still find several distinct layers. Large triggers such as cornices or loose slides may trigger isolated slabs, especially in very steep or rocky slopes. 

With the warm sunny weather, cornices remain front and center of our minds. On some ridgelines, these features grew large during the recent stormy weather, now we wonder if/when they may fall down. Choose routes that help you limit the time you spend near or under these looming waves of snow. 

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.

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