Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

7:30 AM UPDATE: AVALANCHE DANGER INCREASED TO MODERATE IN NTL. An inch of water and 7 inches of snow fell overnight, expanding the moderate avalanche danger to mid elevation slopes.

You can trigger a wind slab avalanche where strong gusts, mainly from the south, redistributed snow into drifts. Search for wind affected terrain and avoid it on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. On low elevation and southerly slopes variable and firm snow surfaces exist, possibly making travel difficult.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Recently formed wind slabs could react to a human trigger on leeward slopes. Sunday afternoon snowfall began and strong wind continued. Intensity peaked at 4pm and numbers are now dropping, totalling a few inches of snow and almost half an inch of water at publication time.  Textured surfaces or pillows of snow can help you identify wind loaded features. The most common areas to find drifts are in gullies, around features, or possibly beneath cliff bands. In complex north-facing terrain at higher elevations, wind slabs deeper than just the new snow could react to your weight in isolated areas. Identify and avoid wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

    Small slab avalanches could occur on Monday, like this one from a few weeks ago on Blueberry Chutes. Photo: Adam U

Avalanche Discussion

Some sunlight on Monday could cause very small wet loose avalanches or rollerballs on steep southerly terrain. Activity would stay limited to the lower density new snow, if any is present after the wind came from the south during the snowfall. You may find travel conditions challenging, as slick or bumpy frozen surfaces on southerly and low elevation slopes exists. 

Stay aware of cornices, despite cooling temperatures reducing the cornice-fall risk. Check out the photo of the cornice triggered avalanche from Thursday, where a large D2 avalanche occurred on the wind loaded slope beneath. A cornice might trigger a deeper avalanche on large, exposed upper elevation slopes that might not react with a human’s weight. For this reason be very wary around cornices, staying far back from their edges and limit your exposure beneath corniced ridgelines.

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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