Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Clear skies should help the surface freeze Thursday night. Sunshine and warm temperatures will need to break through any new crust before wet avalanches become an issue. Be leery of steep sunny slopes once the surface turns wet and mussy.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    This problem may still exist in areas with shallower snowpacks like the eastern portion of the zone. How the warm and sunny weather will impact any potential avalanches? Hard to say, but there are ways it could make things worse. Shedding cornices can act as large triggers, water might impact the weak layer, and the slab may change. All of these could increase the chance of a large avalanche. 

    If you’re in an area with less snow, or venturing to more far-flung parts of the zone, keep this problem on your mind. There’s no way to know if this problem is nearby except to dig. If you find weak sugary facets in or around thin crusts, steer away from nearby steep open slopes.

    (3/17/2025)

    A widely propagating avalanche near Tiffany Mtn.

    Photo: Willie Webster

  • Loose Wet

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

    Two big factors will affect the likelihood and size of wet loose avalanches on Friday. 

    1. How much soft snow exists over the March atmospheric river (AR) crust will limit how big any slide can grow. In some areas, there may only be a few inches of recent snow. However, around 12 inches of snow was observed near Wa Pass on Wednesday. In places like this, wet loose slides could become large and dangerous. 
    2. The overnight freeze and a new crust should limit the wet loose danger in the morning. As it breaks down, danger will rise. This could happen on various aspects and slopes at different times. Once the protective crust is gone, you could trigger rollerballs and wet loose slides. At this point in the year, sunshine and warm temperatures should affect all but the highest and most shaded aspects. 

    You may see natural wet loose avalanches coming off rocky faces. These spots will warm faster than the surrounding terrain. Pay attention to what’s above you, and don’t linger under these features.

     

    Loose avalanches triggered by snow falling off rocks. Photo: Adam Butterfield

Avalanche Discussion

We’re in for a couple of very spring-like days with plenty of sunshine, light winds, and warm temperatures. This will act as a transition period for the snowpack. Often, the switch from winter to spring is filled with uncertainty and surprises. While we’re most concerned about the effects on the surface snow, other spring shed-style avalanches could occur. Cornices, glides, and blocks of snow falling off cliffs may become increasingly common. It’s impossible to predict when one of these avalanches will occur. Keep an eye on what’s above you and limit your time under these overhead hazards. 

In the higher portions of the terrain, pockets of wind-blown snow may still linger. While unlikely, watch out for potential wind slabs, especially on high consequence slopes. 

At lower elevations, spring has sprung. There just isn't enough recent snow to form a hazard. Instead, bare patches, open creeks, and tree debris could make travel slower.

Regions covered