Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Scattered but intense snow showers have dropped 6 or more inches of new snow in some areas. Assess new snow instability before moving onto steeper terrain. Sticking to lower-angle, planar slopes is the simplest way to reduce risk. Loose dry avalanches could grow quite large on long, steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    West North received 4–8 inches of new snow by Wednesday evening. Thursday’s primary avalanche problem could present as storm slabs, loose snow avalanches, or both. Look for slabs in upper-elevation terrain that saw a bit of wind, and expect loose snow activity on steep slopes elsewhere. As temperatures rise, the new snow may become more slabby and reactive.

    Hand pits and small test slopes can help assess bonding within the new snow. Shooting cracks, whumphing, and recent avalanches are clear red flags that human-triggered avalanches are likely and the avalanche danger is greater than expected.

    Pay attention to how much snow is moving downslope with you if descending steep slopes. Small loose snow avalanches can still be quite dangerous if they push you into a tree well, creek, or other terrain trap. 

     

    (2/18/2026)

    There is no lack of new snow to get moving down the hill with you on Thursday.

     Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

The balance between sun and temperature should limit wet avalanche activity on Thursday, but don’t rule it out entirely. Pay attention to sunny slopes overhead and watch for wet avalanche indicators like rollerballs or pinwheels.

A late-afternoon observation indicated there were 6 inches or more of new snow in the Baker Backcountry, with heavy snowfall continuing into the evening. No wind transport was observed in the morning during periods of good visibility, and wind-loaded test slopes produced no results. The new snow was reported to fall with little to no wind. Late-afternoon precipitation was also recorded at other weather stations around the forecast zone, with 0.2 to 0.5 inches of snow water equivalent in the last 24 hours. Riding conditions were reported as quite good.

Snowpack structure varies widely across the zone, with many areas showing thin or patchy coverage at low and mid elevations. Sun-exposed slopes hold a crust capped by an inch or two of new snow, or possibly thin wind slabs near ridgelines. The primary layer of concern is the old snow surface buried on February 13. In some northerly terrain, it sits 12–24 inches below the surface above a stack of crusts and may include buried surface hoar or faceted snow. This layer is not thought to be widespread or highly active, but it adds uncertainty if entering very steep, unsupported terrain.

Regions covered