Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very large and dangerous avalanches could still occur on Thursday. A widespread avalanche cycle accompanied several feet of snowfall earlier this week, and there was at least one near miss from a party which thought they were well outside of avalanche terrain. Snowfall is ramping up throughout the day and increasing danger once again, so stay off slopes steeper than 30 degrees and limit your time or do not travel through low angle terrain beneath steep slopes.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Very large and reactive wind slabs developed as we received 8.5 inches of water (equaling nearly 4 feet of snow) with strong winds at Heather Meadows since Saturday.  Blue skies on Wednesday enabled us to see many large to very large (D2-3) avalanches which occurred in the previous few days. Check out this observation from a backcoutry user who saw many avalanches which occurred during the storm in their travels at Canyon Creek Wednesday.  Natural avalanches were less likely Wednesday into Thursday, but it is likely that you could trigger one if you went onto steeper slopes, as confirmed by some backcountry users on Wednesday. 

    One day without more snow helped to settle the snowpack, but the next storm has arrived. Increasing snowfall rates throughout the day Thursday will add more weight to a snowpack which is already struggling under the weight of its recent load. We may reach very dangerous avalanche conditions by the end of the day.  On Thursday stay off steep slopes, and make conservative terrain choices. Travel quickly through avalanche runout areas if you must.

    Very large avalanches propagated long distances during the storm. You could still trigger one if you venture onto steep slopes Thursday. Photo: Mt Baker Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Observers found some avalanches failing near a crust which is now buried several feet deep, and persistent weak grains were the culprit on that interface. This would explain how surprisingly large and reactive some of the avalanches were.  In some areas weak grains were not found on interfaces. For now, treat slopes as suspect for harboring persistent weak layers, which may be different slope to slope.  

One of the most startling observations from the cycle was a video of a close call from a group of skiers travelling along the valley floor in the Bagley Lakes area by Heather Meadows. Check it out in the media strip below. It makes one reflect upon whether they may have gotten caught out in the same situation as well. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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