Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Look for and assess pockets of wind drifted snow at upper elevations. The likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is low. Getting caught in one could still have a bad outcome in terrain where you could get swept down a large alpine face, off a cliff, or into trees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will appear as smooth, hard snow in a sea of uneven, wind hammered surfaces.  You might find wind slabs easier to trigger where resting on top of slick sun crust or on unsupported, convex breakovers.

    Cracking on wind loaded test features (short steep slopes, small cornices) is a sign nearby slabs might release. Use hand shears to evaluate wind slab bonding if climbing into steep alpine terrain. On descent take your time moving onto wind loaded slopes, especially with consequential terrain below. “Low danger” isn’t “no danger.”

    A few inches of new snow and moderate winds shouldn't do much to increase hazard. They could obscure older wind slabs or build small fresh slabs at upper elevations.

     

    (1/29/2023)

    Scoured surfaces (left) and low angle loaded slopes (right) on Mt. Ann

Avalanche Discussion

Some version of wind affected snow can be found nearly everywhere. Eroded ridgelines, scoured slopes, grabby slabs, and dense wind crust are the norm near and above treeline. Wind slabs were easy to find but observed as mostly unreactive on Sunday and Monday. No shooting cracks or new avalanches were observed. You might find an unstable pocket if you look hard enough.  Sluffing is still a concern on the steepest slopes with dry snow running easily on old wind slabs or crusts below. Good riding conditions on lightly wind affected snow can still be found.

Slick sun crust and debris from two-day-old wet avalanches top the snowpack on solar aspects. Additional traction (like boot or ski crampons) may be helpful in steep terrain. Near-surface faceting was observed in sheltered areas around Heather Meadows and faceting around the MLK crust buried 1-3’ deep has been reported in adjacent zones. Neither surface nor crust faceting is currently an issue. On the other hand, they are layers to track going into fresh snowfall and loading at the end of the week.

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