Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Most areas are now on day four of above-freezing temperatures. Even with a slight cooling trend, wet avalanches are still a threat. Steer clear of terrain beneath cornices, snow-laden cliffs, glide cracks, and large, steep open slopes to reduce the risk of being caught in an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The mountains will continue to sporadically shed wet snow until we see consistently lower temperatures.  It’s pretty much impossible to figure out when and where the next one will happen. A few more very large wet slab and cornice fall avalanches were reported on Wednesday around the Baker Backcountry, and it’s a sure bet there were more in other parts of the forecast zone. 

    Like most wet avalanche problems, the best you can do is stay out of the way. Second best is to move as quickly as possible through areas where cornices, snowy cliffs, glide cracks, or big steep slopes lurk in the terrain above. Remember that wet slab and glide avalanches can release without warning on any aspect. A falling cornice can trigger an even larger avalanche on the slopes below.

     

     

    (3/25/2025)

    New and recent wet snow avalanche activity in the Mt Baker area. 

    Photo: Mt Baker Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Another round of heavy precipitation overnight and a cool-down should make for some new snow accumulation at higher elevations. With the new snow we could see another round of wet loose avalanches up high, especially if the sun makes it out. 

Based on the lack of observations, it seems people are avoiding avalanche terrain by simply avoiding mountain travel. Wet, sticky - but ski-supportable - snow surfaces are found at all elevations.  Avalanche activity since Sunday across the Cascades has been impressive and continues to be so, with additional very large natural avalanches reported every day since. 

The danger rating for Thursday has been lowered, with overall cooler conditions in the days ahead. But it still won't necessarily be freezing at most elevations, and the threat of continued "shedding"-style avalanches won't end until we see some prolonged cooling. Or all the snow melts off ridges and rocky terrain, and the remaining snowpack undergoes its transition for the summer.  

Temperatures nudged right up to 60F at 5000’ on Wednesday morning before falling slightly ahead of tonight's summer-like storm (hail, lightning, short bursts of very heavy precipitation). Snowpack depths have decreased dramatically with snow depths at the White Chuck Tripod shrinking by over 30” since Sunday from a peak of 1832”.

Regions covered