Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Reports of several natural and human triggered avalanches on Friday came from neighboring forecast zones. Avalanches mostly remained within the top 5-10 inches, and with more snow forecasted through Saturday similar conditions are expected to continue. Steer around large slopes steeper than 35 degrees or ones which end in terrain traps as you get out to enjoy the wintery conditions on Christmas Day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Triggering or getting caught in a wind slab avalanche is likely on Saturday. Light winds are expected to continue to subtly shape the snowy landscape, and soft slabs will abound on mid to upper elevation slopes. Friday’s reactive slabs were soft and shallow, and there is a good chance you may find more like them on Saturday. However, the possibility of wind slabs failing as deep as the Solstice Crust buried 1-2+ feet below the surface is not out of the question. 

    Cooler temperatures and light winds could mean that this low-density snow will pose more of a challenge for identifying wind slabs. Your usual clues such as textured snow or pillows, or seeing shooting cracks may not be as obvious. Checking the snow surface layers with hand pits and digging down to the solstice crust and completing stability tests are your best way to identify the problem. Use small test slopes to see how reactive the snow is. We’ve received well over a foot of snow in the last 4 days and we saw recent avalanches (bulls-eye clues). Unless you’re well trained and absolutely certain about a steep slope you’re heading out on, stick to terrain less than 35 degrees.

    A snowboarder triggered soft wind slab avalanche  which occurred in the neighboring West North zone, with similar conditions, on Friday. The party had already been on two slopes and had similar experiences on the previous slopes. This one took the snowboarder for a ride and they were thankfully unhurt. 

     

    Photo: Jason Speer- Baker Mtn Guides

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slab avalanches in non wind-loaded terrain are possible on Friday. This is especially the case in areas where the snow is not well bonded to the Solstice Crust. Dig down and investigate the new snow layer and how well it is bonded to the solstice crust to determine the possibility of triggering a storm slab avalanche. Use small test slopes before you expose yourself to large steep slopes.

    Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) could be triggered by you on a steep slope. You would find these in non wind-affected areas. They will probably remain shallow, but stay alert for them if you venture onto steep terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

16-24 inches of snow fell throughout the West Central zone since Dec 21. Several avalanches were reported since Thursday. The snowpack is stacking up nicely, but all this recent snow and not much of a break for the snowpack to stabilize means avalanche activity is expected to continue. 

Looking ahead, clouds may break on Monday and temperatures will plummet, remaining frigid for a few days. The holiday weekend is a great time to get out and enjoy all our new cold, dry snow, but stay aware of avalanche hazards while you’re out there. Have a happy Holiday weekend from the team at NWAC!

Regions covered