Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
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

    On Friday, the 5th rider down a chute on Goat Mountain triggered a large slab avalanche and managed to escape before taking a long, scary ride (OBSERVATION).  We're glad to hear they avoided getting caught. Other zones throughout the Cascades have had similar close calls with human-triggered avalanches in the last couple days, indicating there's something unusual about these conditions and right now isn't a good time to commit to high consequence terrain. 

    Avalanche danger is moderate at upper elevations, which means human-triggered avalanches are possible. The current conditions aren't quite your average wind slab problem. Southeasterly winds have distributed snow into unusual locations and slabs have been tricky to identify with distribution and reactiveness, catching even experienced people off guard. Depending on where you are in the zone, you might be able to trigger a wind slab avalanche in the middle elevation band as well. 

    Choose your terrain wisely. Be sure to assess snow conditions before committing to a steep slope. Changes from non wind-loaded to wind-loaded areas might be abrupt, and some pockets may not react to your weight, while others might. The amount of snow available for transport has dissipated, and slabs may be more difficult to trigger than in the previous day or two. We suspect new slabs will likely be less than a foot deep. We're not in the clear yet, so continue to avoid wind-loaded slopes greater than 35°.

    (2/16/2024)

    Human-triggered avalanche on Goat Mtn, NW, 5500ft. D2

    This avalanche was reported as a wind slab, but it may have stepped down to an underlying weak layer somewhere above the Early February Crust (it looks like there's a second crown a little beneath the first one in the photo)

    Photo: Paul Bagels

Avalanche Discussion

The avalanche on Goat Mountain looks from the photos and description that it may have failed or stepped down to an underlying weak layer. This may be directly above the Early February Crust or a weakness from midway down in the newer snow layers.  Failures beneath new wind slabs and on these layers aren't out of the question. The good news is that these potential weaknesses are in the top foot or two of the snowpack, so you can easily dig down and isolate a column with your hand and see if any layers pop off easily. 

We'll be getting an inch or so of snow by the end of the day Sunday, which may drift into additional very small slabs. The new layer might hide older slabs that could still avalanche. Friday's intense sunlight means slopes on the southern half of the compass had small amounts of wet loose avalanche activity, and crusts are present on or just below the surface. Meanwhile, on dry, wind-sheltered north-facing terrain you can expect to trigger small dry loose avalanches, which should be of little consequence. These slopes are reported to have pleasant riding conditions.

If you make it into the backcountry, prepare for shallow, variable snow cover, with crusts and an abundance of holes in the snow that could catch you off guard at lower elevations. Send us an observation so you can help contribute to better forecasts in the zone!

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