Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

As you ascend in elevation, you may encounter wind-loaded features, particularly on the volcanoes. If you find more than 6 inches of snow over a crust, you'll know that small avalanches are possible. You'll have a higher chance of triggering a slide on convex features or in rocky chutes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    There may be just enough dry snow on the volcanoes that shallow wind slabs could develop. Look for actively blowing snow, fresh drifts, textured surfaces, or new cornices to determine where these unstable pockets may exist. You can feel for changes in the depth of snow over the crust to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. They'll be more common on leeward ridgelines, on convex features, or near rocky outcrops such as the base of cliffs or confined chutes. 

    (4/4/2024)

    Actively blowing snow on a ridgeline in the Tatoosh Range. A good indication of possible wind slab development.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Recent days have been more winterlike after a warm start to the work week resulted in a wet avalanche cycle. During this snowy period, several waves of precipitation and wind slowly increased depth over a series of melt-freeze crusts. 

On Saturday, we'll get the biggest shot of precipitation this week, particularly on the volcanoes. While these storm totals are modest by winter standards or on their own, cumulatively, there should be enough snow and wind that you need to think about small avalanches. Any potential slide should be confined to the snow above the most recent melt-freeze crust. Closer to the crest, snow depths may not reach the threshold for impactful avalanches. You should still travel cautiously and keep a keen eye out for small slides.

Despite the winter-like landscape, it's definitely spring. All it takes is a few sun breaks or thin clouds for dry avalanche problems to transition to wet avalanche problems. If you see new rollerballs or the snow surface is moist, put wet avalanches on your radar and head for shadier slopes. 

Lower elevations will likely have more travel hazards than avalanche potential. Although open holes/creeks, shallowly buried rocks, and refrozen avalanche debris are more prevalent down low, they litter the landscape at all elevations.

Regions covered