Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Pay attention to shifting and locally strong winds Monday. With plenty of powder available for transport, unstable slabs of wind drifted new snow will quickly build anywhere the wind gets a chance. Assume a higher level of danger if you see signs of intense wind transport like snow plumes off high peaks, shooting cracks, or small natural avalanches. Look out for wet avalanches on sun exposed slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avalanches in freshly wind drifted snow will pose the greatest danger on Monday. Though forecasted wind speeds are not quite high enough for widespread and consistent transport, locally stronger winds could result in reactive new slabs. This is even more so the case traveling farther east in the zone or climbing into alpine terrain. Natural avalanches are possible during periods of intense transport. Don’t linger under steep slopes that are actively wind loading.

    Blowing snow will be the best indicator of active wind loading.  Also, note the pattern of wind scoured versus loaded slopes to help identify where wind slabs might lurk. Track the change in snow depth as you move in and out of wind affected terrain and look for stiff slabs overlying weaker snow below. Hand pits and test slopes can help you gauge the bond of new wind slab layers. The best policy might be just to steer around steep slopes with signs of active or recent wind loading.

    Expect greater danger and even a few natural avalanches in areas with stronger wind and extensive wind transport.

Avalanche Discussion

Wet loose avalanches are possible anytime cold snow warms and becomes wet on sun exposed or low elevation slopes. Move off and away from terrain where you see rollerballs or small wet loose avalanches during sunbreaks or with rising temperatures. 

Backcountry travelers took advantage of partly clear skies and excellent snow conditions on Sunday. Extensive travel in steep terrain produced numerous loose snow avalanches that were a size above what is normally seen after a storm. Wet loose were also reported with periods of solar radiation and most sun exposed slopes produced natural avalanches up to D1.5. No wind slab avalanches were observed by those traveling in alpine terrain. They did report identifying and avoiding the steepest wind loaded features. Sun and a midday rise in temperature affected the snow surface well above treeline and on all aspects at lower elevations. 

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