Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

At upper elevations, you may still be able to trigger slab avalanches where you find recently drifted snow. Travel cautiously around steep terrain features where the wind has blown the snow into pillow-like drifts in open terrain or near ridges. You may see small loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    You may be able to trigger slab avalanches in pockets of recently drifted snow. If you see signs of cracking, steer around convexities and slopes steeper than 35 degrees. You can avoid triggering these avalanches by sticking to lower-angled slopes, lower elevation terrain, or ridges and wind-scoured areas.

    Northwest winds transported snow Thursday into Friday and will once again pick up on Sunday. This time, less snow is will be available to move. Wind slabs will be bigger and more consistent in terrain near and west of Washington Pass. Further east, these avalanches will be unlikely due to less recent snow accumulation.

    (12/29/2021)

    Example of a small wind slab from December on Delancey Ridge.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Watch for small avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes that hold new snow. These avalanches will be most likely above 6,000ft near and west of the Cascade Crest. The sun may warm and weaken recent snow throughout the day. Watch for slides coming from overhead terrain. Use extra caution on sunny slopes 40 degrees and steeper containing terrain traps like rocks, trees, and gullies. Even a small slide in this terrain could be enough to injure you. Rollerballs, recent avalanches, or moist snow that slides easily are all signs of the danger. If you see this, move to shadier or lower-angled terrain. Observers have reported open glide cracks. While unlikely, glide avalanches could bring serious consequences. 

    (1/21/2022)

    Loose wet avalanches (likely from Jan 20th) on steep sun-exposed slopes near the top of Washington Pass.

    Photo: Drew Lovell

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, observers reported a number of natural and triggered wind slab avalanches. These were generally small and above treeline on leeward slopes near and west of Washington Pass. A few size D2 avalanches were reported. Small, wet avalanches have also been running on steep sunny slopes.

Crusts and recent snow cap the snowpack. Above 6,000ft you may find up to 6" of snow that accumulated on the 20th. Temperatures will continue to be very warm, though temperature inversions and the short days and weak sun of January will limit the warming of the snowpack . With warming temperatures comes some uncertainty around the possibility of wet avalanches, cornice falls, and glide avalanches. Breaking cornices or falling off of them can be a hazard anytime you're near the top of a ridge. Use caution not to step far out onto or linger underneath them. If you're in the mountains, let us know what you see by submitting an observation. 

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