Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Expect to find generally safe avalanche conditions throughout the zone on Thursday. Low danger doesn't mean no danger, however. Don't get tripped up by a pocket of wind-drifted snow on the volcanoes or loose snow running on a firm crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Although unlikely, you may want to keep wind slabs on your radar when traveling on the volcanoes. These slabs are a few days old now and are expected to be difficult to trigger. Reports from the neighboring Mt. Hood zone indicate that slabs are still reactive, some of which overlay weak snow grains. We haven't had any similar reports in our zone, but the southern volcanoes can often be more in line with Mount Hood. Look for textured surfaces, new cornices, or pillow-like drifts as you travel to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. Be suspicious of firm surfaces that feel hollow, especially on unsupported slopes. 

    (2/7/2024)

    Textured surfaces on Mount St. Helens indicate that the wind has been a player there recently.

    Photo: Danyel Fisher

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday, NWAC forecasters in the Crystal Mountain area found 3-4 inches of low-density snow over the Early February Crust. Traveling at lower elevations was sometimes challenging due to exposed ground, open creeks, and shallowly buried rocks/stumps. The Early February Crust was boot and ski supportable at middle and upper elevations. A public observation from Mount St. Helens indicated that surfaces were wind-pressed, and sun-exposed slopes produced some rollerball activity. 

Overall, avalanche concerns are minimal across the zone. That doesn't mean that they're non-existent. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • There is low-density snow available for transport, and winds should start to increase slowly on Thursday. New shallow wind slabs could form on leeward slopes.
  • On the volcanoes, you might find a few older wind slabs from earlier this week. They should be stubborn to unreactive. 
  • With an excellent sliding surface below the new snow, loose avalanches could run far on the Early February Crust. Most of these should be dry, but a few could be wet on sun-exposed slopes.

A moderate to poor bond is expected between this week's snow and the Early February Crust. Focus your snowpack observations on this interface moving forward. You might find buried surface hoar or near-surface facets in some locations. We do not currently have any concerns deeper in the snowpack. 

Our recent atmospheric river event didn't just create a stout crust; it left us with difficult travel conditions. Open holes and creeks, firm crusts, exposed natural hazards such as rocks and logs, and refrozen avalanche debris now litter the landscape. Travel has been slowly improving throughout the week as each small storm wave rolls through, but we've got a ways to go. Give yourself some extra time to avoid these hazards, and be prepared with flexible travel plans in case your route is obscured. 

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