Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You should find “generally safe” avalanche conditions Saturday. If you’re going to trigger an avalanche it will likely be a very small pocket of wind-drifted snow. Be leery of pillow-like slabs above cliffs or rocks.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It’s not hard to find evidence of wind-transported snow. Textured surfaces, drifts, and small cornices are common. Fortunately, observations suggest actual wind slabs are few and far between. And, the ones that are out there are thin and small.  You may find an isolated wind slab at higher elevations or in very steep and rocky terrain. 

    Look for firmer and thicker drifts below cliffs, in the tops of chutes, or right off of exposed ridgelines. Since the avalanche should be small and relatively harmless on its own, pay attention to the potential consequences. Would it carry you over a cliff or into rocks? If so, consider another slope.

    (11/29/2024)

    Wind textured snow along and exposed ridgeline. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

After nearly a week of quiet weather in the West South zone, things have settled down quite a bit. The last reported human-triggered avalanche was on Monday 11/25. Cold weather helped preserve soft snow on slopes not directly facing the sun. While the surface snow is rather weak and loose, observations haven’t found any significant layers of concern. On more southerly aspects a thin breakable crust formed from Thursday and Friday’s sunshine. Overall the snowpack is quite impressive for the end of November. Middle-elevation snow depths often range from 4-6 ft (120-180cm). 

With warmer weather on the way Saturday. You could see a few rollerballs or very small loose slides release from rocky slopes. They shouldn’t pose much of a hazard, unless you’re in extreme terrain. The heat bumps up a notch on Sunday with freezing levels soaring. Its tough to say exactly how this warm-up will affect avalanche conditions. Stay tuned. 

Even with all the great November snow, early-season conditions still exists. Open creeks, downed logs, shallowly buried rocks, and numerous trees abound. Allow a little extra time to deal with these potential hazards. 

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