Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It's possible for you to trigger small or medium-sized avalanches in steep terrain as we continue to get small new loads of snow. Your largest concern is heavier wind-drifted pockets  of snow, which become more of a concern as you make your way up to and above treeline. They will likely remain shallow, only about 6 inches to a foot deep, but steer around these deposits on steep slopes. 

Update @ 7:45am:  Danger rating upgraded to Considerable due to 12" new snow and strong winds overnight. Expect dangerous avalanche conditions in upper elevation wind exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We don't suspect there was much wind slab development in the few inches of new snow which fell Friday, but a slight increase in wind Saturday with a couple more overnight inches could make them easier to find. Search for wind actively moving snow, and identify loaded pockets where you see thicker pillows or textured surfaces. These slabs may be very subtle, with only slightly heavier snow than in non-wind-affected areas. They will likely build up near features like gullies, below ridgelines, or around outcroppings. Doing frequent small hand pits could help you with identifying slightly heavier snow over softer snow. If you notice any cracking, that's also an indicator of a potentially reactive slab. Steer around slopes greater than 35 degrees if you suspect they could harbor wind slabs. 

    (3/4/2023)

    Use visual clues such as fresh cornices to help you identify wind loaded slopes. 

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

Loose dry avalanches may be what you encounter on Saturday, possibly even more than slab avalanches. They'll be more active on very steep slopes, and in areas with a crust underneath, which is the case on southerly aspects. You could trigger a loose avalanche if you're on or entering steep terrain. It's important to be aware of any "sluff" around you, or one that you may be sending down onto someone else. Temperatures and sun probably won't get warm enough to cause a problem with wet loose avalanches, but this time of year it's something to always keep on your mind. Regarding all types of avalanches right now, if you trigger or get caught in one it might not be big enough to bury you, but if you're out in high-consequence terrain they could take you for a scary ride and still possibly kill you.  

About 6 inches of low density snow sits over an increasingly hard snowpack in the top meter of snow.  Any slight weather changes could lead to a variety of different avalanche problems, keeping us sitting at Moderate avalanche danger. Extremely large cornices exist along ridgelines. They are just waiting for the next big weather event, whether a warming event or a large, windy, load of snow, before they start crashing down.

A  slight lull in snowfall, with only showers, is forecasted before more intense snowfall starts Sunday night. If you make it into the backcountry, even a low-elevation hike where you're in the snow, we'd love to hear about your trip. The information is useful whether you saw avalanches or didn't see any; just getting information about the snow surfaces is helpful. You can submit an observation HERE. 

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