Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Watch for signs of unstable snow as you gain elevation and transition into wind-affected terrain. Small avalanches could be human-triggered above treeline on wind-loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A storm Saturday night looks to bring 3-5in of new snow to areas above 4000ft in the West Central with precipitation favoring the northern half of the zone. Westerly winds will accompany the new snow, with increasing speeds over the next 24 hours. Fresh, shallow slabs of wind drifted snow could form on leeward alpine slopes and features and may be reactive to the weight of a person on slopes 35 degrees and steeper.  Pay attention as you gain elevation and look and feel for sudden changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Be leery of slopes below cornices and cliff bands and steer around steep gully features and large convex rollovers with evidence of wind drifted snow. Watch for cracking and collapsing and assess how new snow bonds to old snow surfaces as you travel. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain or lower angled slopes to avoid the problem. 

    (3/8/2021) Example photo a small wind slab avalanche on a wind-loaded upper elevation slope. The slab broke near the base of cliffs and the cornice above serves as an indicator of the wind-loaded slope below. Photo: Trevor Kostanich

Avalanche Discussion

The bulk of the precipitation will arrive overnight with lingering showers Sunday. Skies should remain cloudy, but if the sun unexpectedly comes out for any prolonged period of time, watch for the new snow to become wet and weak on E-S-W aspects and keep loose wet avalanches in mind. New snow will fall on a variety of old snow surfaces including wet sticky snow, melt-freeze crusts, and dry settled powder. You may find the new snow behaves differently on various aspects and elevations, so keeping making observations as you travel and anticipate some variability. 

Continue to stay alert during the ongoing transition from winter to spring.  Cornices grew large over the past few months and loom along many high elevation ridgelines. Use extra caution in areas where they are present. A large glide avalanche occurred Saturday in the neighboring Snoqualmie Pass Zone. Widening glide cracks have been observed in the West Central and all throughout the Cascades over the past few weeks. These avalanches are challenging to predict and occur in isolated terrain features where the snowpack rests on a smooth, lubricated ground surface like grassy slopes or rock slabs. Keep a watchful eye out for crevasse-like cracks in the snowpack and avoid travel on or below slopes where they exist. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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