Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could still trigger an avalanche on wind-drifted features at upper elevations. Search for thicker deposits, textured, or wind-featured snow, and steer around these locations on steep slopes. The place you're most likely to trigger an avalanche is very steep, committing terrain, so even though an avalanche will probably be small it could still take you for a scary ride. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yet another dose of light snowfall and light to moderate winds could be enough to replenish or create new slabs in above treeline terrain. You may also see new slabs and greater danger affecting near and above treeline if more snow or stronger winds than forecast occurs. Evaluate for wind slabs by identifying actively drifting snow or textured surfaces. Slabs could lurk beneath cornices, or you might find them by experiencing long, shooting cracks or changes in snow depth and stiffness. If you notice any of these clues, steer around steep nearby slopes. Be sure to identify whether a slope you're considering traveling onto has any accompanying terrain traps which could make even a small avalanche deadly. You're much less likely to encounter an avalanche in terrain with no wind effect or loading. 

    You may find more reactive conditions further south or east in the zone. If you get out on the periphery near another zone, take a look at the adjacent zone's forecast, which may provide additional insights on what you may see where you're traveling. 

    Small wind slabs in upper elevation pockets, which you might find on Thursday. 

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

On Monday I traveled to the south side of the Mountain Loop Highway and found south-facing crusts and cold, low-density powder on north-facing slopes. I found a right-side-up snowpack with no instabilities where I traveled, at elevations up to 5000ft. You can check out my observation HERE. 

Weather conditions are maintaining the last few days' trend, with a chance for scattered showers and mainly light easterly winds, a less common direction for us. Starting Friday we'll start getting a little more precipitation which may last for several days with occasional breaks. 

Regions covered