Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Unusual wind patterns and drifting will continue, and triggering large, dangerous avalanches on wind-loaded slopes remains possible. Consider steering around high-consequence terrain like rocky chutes, cliffy or treed areas, or places where gullies are at the bottom of the path, as impacts from even a small avalanche will be amplified if you're caught. Avoid steep slopes where you identify wind-affected snow, especially when you gain elevation and if you find actively blowing snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A skier was caught in a small wind slab avalanche on Saturday on Ruby Mountain (observation). Another rider triggered a large wind slab avalanche on Goat Mountain on Friday (observation). Another observer reported finding a small natural slab avalanche on Heliotrope Ridge, and long, shooting cracks occurrring nearby (observation).  Thankfully, no one has been injured or buried in an avalanche. These same conditions are continuing and warrant taking precautions.

    Snow has been distributed into unusual locations, and slabs have been tricky to identify with both how widespread and reactive they are. Choose terrain carefully. Assess snow conditions before committing to a steep slope. Snow might transition quickly from non-wind-affected to wind-affected. Search for textured, wind-affected surfaces and feel for stiffer snow. Search for active wind loading and avoid affected slopes. Long, shooting cracks from your weight are obvious indicators of a weak snowpack.  

    Some aspects and locations in the West North zone could have crusty surfaces or hard, wind-affected snow, or even low density powder. There are other areas, perhaps just around the corner or over the ridge, where reactive wind slabs could still be triggered by a human. We've seen enough activity, and even professionals are getting surprised, to warrant avoiding terrain where wind slab avalanches are likely to occur. This means avoiding wind-loaded slopes greater than 35°.

     

    (2/16/2024)

    Small test slopes work great for seeing how reactive shallow wind slabs are. 

    Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

At least one of the recently reported avalanches likely failed above the Early February Crust, about 1 1/2 ft down at upper elevations throughout the zone. There are potentially other weaknesses midway down in the newer snow layers above the Early February Crust. We're not quite sure how widespread these weak layers are, but you're most likely to encounter and trigger an avalanche on them in the same areas as you'd trigger a wind slab avalanche. This is another reason to remain conservative despite the fairly "mellow" danger rating of the day, If you trigger one of these avalanches, it will surprise you by failing wider and deeper than you'd expect. 

We'll probably get a dusting of snow Sunday night and during the day Monday, which shouldn't be enough to additionally elevate the avalanche danger. Steep south-facing aspects are predominantly crusty, and lower elevations have a shallow, extremely variable snowpack with an abundance of bare patches and holes. Meanwhile, there are still sheltered north-facing slopes at upper elevations that are holding onto light, dry snow. Small dry loose avalanches may be triggered in these areas. Please submit an observation if you make it into the backcountry on Monday to let us know how conditions were for you. Even if you didn't see any avalanches, observations are still useful. 

 

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