Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Glide avalanches have occurred in the last few days around the Baker backcountry and likely other areas in the zone as well. Avoid traveling on or below steep areas where you see gaping cracks in the snow, or in common glide locations where snow is coating smooth rock slabs or grassy slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    Mt Baker Ski Area reported a very large climax avalanche that ran sometime Tuesday night in the Canyon on a steep, shady and unsupported rock feature at about 4500'. A forecaster in the Baker backcountry on Wednesday saw signs of several glide avalanches that were likely from Tuesday (OBSERVATION). Temperatures will drop a few degrees on Thursday and wind may cool surfaces a little, but we're not confident that glide avalanche activity will turn off just yet. If there's anywhere to avoid on Thursday, it's traveling on or beneath steep smooth rock slab features that are still hanging onto snow. 

    Glide avalanche activity will likely be few and far between, if at all. However, you never know when it'll happen, and they're just plain scary and unpredictable, although it's faily uncommon for someone to get caught in one. What works in our favor is that features where glide avalanches run is very specific, and there are usually glide cracks that you see  as indicators before a glide avalanche happens.  

    (12/4/2024)

    Debris from a recent, large glide avalanche on the south side of Table Mt at 5500'.  Estimated to have released on Tuesday afternoon, given the freshness of the debris.

    (WS-N-D2-G).

Avalanche Discussion

Wet loose avalanche activity never seemed to really take off during this period of sunny skies and warm temperatures since Sunday. A few small wet loose avalanches occurred, and more commonly, simply rollerballs were noted. Any surface instabilities appear to have faded, especially as temperatures drop a few degrees for Thursday. 

Snow conditions vary extensively from sunny to shady slopes, with the recent warm temperatures even moistening shady aspects at mid and lower elevations. You might find crusts, dry powder, or soggy snow depending on where you travel on Thursday. We have an impressive snow base for this time of year, with almost 5 feet still sitting at the Heather Meadows weather station at 4200ft. 

Information this time of year is limited, as fewer backcountry users and avalanche professionals are out in the field in the early winter. We can use your help with gathering more information from the backcountry. Please share information on the snowpack, avalanches or weather by SUBMITTING AN OBSERVATION to help us write better forecasts for you. 

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