Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human-triggered avalanches are likely in the new storm snow around a foot deep. Avoid steep slopes, and if you notice any cracking, whumphing or recent avalanches steer around lower angle terrain beneath steep slopes as well. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    It's exciting that we're getting new snow, but Saturday's not a day to head out into steep terrain. Stick to slopes less than 30°, as we've got a storm that will deposit a little under a foot of snow overnight, and then a few more inches during that day. You're most likely to trigger an avalanche in the new snow layer, around a foot deep, but one may fail as deep as the 12/30 crust, which could be around 2 feet deep. Lower elevations have a minimal preexisting snowpack and smaller avalanches may still occur in the new snow. 

    These new snow avalanches could happen on all steep slopes, but they will probably be more reactive in areas with recent wind loading. This isn't the time to try and outsmart the avalanche problem. Avoid steep terrain and if you have any doubt, steer around lower angle slopes that are beneath large avalanche paths as well. 

    Example photo: A human triggered storm slab avalanche, around a foot deep, something like what you might trigger on Saturday. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

This may be the first weekend powder day in a long time- definitely this year and maybe for the entire winter- but right now, it's important to dial your terrain selection back and not have expectations of getting out into steep terrain in the backcountry. A weak layer may exist above the 12/30 crust, which will probably be buried about 2 ft deep on Saturday. It will probably be even easier to trigger an avalanche if this layer is present.

In the neighboring West North zone, we've been seeing stout crusts and moist, hard snow layers beneath the 12/30 crust. We suspect conditions are similar in the West Central zone. We don't expect avalanches to occur beneath the 12/30 crust. 

If you make it out, have a great day on low-angle terrain. Take some photos of the new snow, avalanches, or anything else interesting, which you can easily submit with an observation on our website or app . Don't forget that beneath this new snow layer, especially if you're at lower elevations, there isn't much of an underlying snow base. Beware of open creeks, stumps, and rocks, as you can expect to encounter them sneakily hidden at lower elevations. 

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