Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Increasing light snow and wind throughout the day will build small wind drifts where you could trigger an avalanche.  Actively blowing snow, long shooting cracks, and recent avalanches are sure signs of the increasing hazard. Steer around steep slopes below ridgelines, confined gullies, and the base of cliffs where these drifts are most likely to form.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Actively blowing snow and cornice formations are a great way to identify wind loaded slopes. The most suspect terrain will be steep slopes below ridgelines, confined rocky gullies, and the base of cliffs. As you travel higher into the terrain, wind slabs are likely to be larger and more easily triggered. If you identify natural avalanches, long shooting cracks, or the snow feels hollow, you should head towards low angle slopes or wind sheltered terrain. 

    Moderate amounts of fresh snow and wind throughout the week built wind slabs on a variety of aspects. These slabs will have different reactivity levels depending on when they formed. Fresh wind slabs may be very easy to trigger, but relatively small.  Older wind slabs may be larger, harder to trigger, and may not show key warning signs, such as cracking. To reduce your risk, step into new terrain slowly, choose smaller slopes with lower consequences, and consider that it's probably not the day to step out into more extreme terrain. 

    (12/23/2025)

    You're likely to find wind-textured snow (like in this photo) further downslope vs just near ridgelines on Thursday.    

    Photo: Drew Lovell

Avalanche Discussion

Expect another 4-5" of snow with cooling temperatures and moderate winds on Friday. Precipitation and winds will increase throughout the day, making triggering avalanches easier later in the afternoon.

Backcountry travelers reported extensive wind-affected snow in the Upper Chewuch and Twisp River drainages throughout the week. On Thursday, multiple small wind slabs were observed in upper elevation terrain below the ridgeline. Heavy snow and wind contributed to a decline in stability throughout the day. Most wind slab activity was small and isolated to very steep lee slopes below corniced ridgelines, but visibility was poor, making observations difficult. Observers also reported a freezing-rain crust below 4700ft and firm surfaces beneath the forest canopy.

Following severe weather earlier in the month, access to Washington Pass and Highway 20 west of Early Winters is currently closed due to mudslides and road crews working in the area. With limited access to the mountains, we have less information about the snowpack than usual. Travel with extra safety margins, make your own observations, and ease into new terrain slowly to account for the uncertainty. Make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time to assess before entering larger terrain.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at NWAC!  We wish you a snowy and safe rest of winter.

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

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