Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Newly wind-drifted snow is where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on Saturday. Search for actively blowing snow, and identify where it lands, and identify heavier, thicker feeling snow and steer around steep slopes with these characteristics. Increasing temperatures may result  in wet avalanche activity at lower elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Most dry avalanche activity will occur in recently drifted snow. There's an abundance of low-density snow that wind can redistribute into freshly formed slabs.  New drifts could range from a couple of inches to over a foot deep. Expect size and reactivity to increase as you climb in elevation. 

    Search for new, thicker, and heavier slabs around rocky outcroppings and features, in gullies and along ridgelines. Drifts may have textured surfaces or thick, smooth surfaces. Obvious clues may exist, like long cracks shooting out from your or your sled's weight. Pay attention to other obvious clues like transitioning from lighter, fluffier snow to heavier snow that you don't sink as deeply into.

    Avoid steep slopes where you identify any of these characteristics. Natural avalanches are another clear indicator you want to avoid steep terrain- and possibly terrain beneath steep slopes as well. 

    Example photo: Wind transport creates obvious cornices. It' may not be as easy to see new wind slabs building up on slopes beneath the cornice, but expect them to be there. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    On Saturday, we'll reach the warmest temperatures we've seen since the last storm came to a close. Wet avalanche activity will probably be limited to the lower elevation band. If you notice sticky and moist snow surfaces, start thinking about wet avalanche activity.

    Rollerballs or small slides are good indicators. Treebombs are another good indicator, and they could initiate a slide too. When you start experiencing wet snow, especially if it's on previously light, dry snow, start steering around steep slopes and where avalanches can run to beneath steep paths. Wet avalanche activity could be pretty minimal on Saturday, or it could really take off, depending on what happens with temperatures. 

    Example photo: wet avalanches or rollerballs frequently initiate from trees or rocky areas like in this photo.

    Photo: Jason Speer

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is aware of an avalanche involvement in the East Central Zone, Teanaway River/Longs Pass area. Information is currently limited. We are working with local authorities and Search and Rescue personnel. We will update once more information is available.

In neighboring zones, reports have trended towards improving stability since the storm ended on Thursday. Some locations reported stubborn to unreactive wind slabs, whereas there were a few odd natural avalanches that occurred in both the Stevens Pass and West North zone as well. During a quick investigation on Friday, I didn't find any larger slab avalanches in spots with cloud breaks in the Hwy 2 corridor, but there were a few loose avalanches in steep areas. 

Snowfall and rain will pick up on Saturday night into Sunday, with freezing lines shifting from the lower to mid elevations. 

Regions covered