Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Wednesday, natural size 1 wind slabs were reported on cross-loaded alpine slopes. Otherwise, reports have been limited in the past few days.

With north winds, expect reactive wind slabs to form in exposed areas in reverse loading patterns.

If you head into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

There is a lot of new snow available for transport. Check out this MIN for details. Watch for north winds redistributing this snow.

50 to 70 cm of recent storm snow was accompanied by southwest switching to northwest winds, building cohesive slabs in lee features. This overlies 20-50 cm of snow over a crust and a well-settled snowpack in the alpine and upper treeline.

Treeline snowpack depths range from 90 to 180 cm. The last few storms have brought winter to the Cascades, and lower-elevation areas may reach the threshold for avalanches.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear with no new snow. North alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature drops to -30°C.

Friday

Mostly sunny with no new snow. North alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -30°C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow. North alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -25°C.

Sunday

Increasing cloud with no new snow. North alpine winds 50 to 70 km/h. Treeline temperature -25°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.