Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Uncertainty with the weather forecast means it is up to you to assess avalanche conditions in the area you travel. You may find more or less wind and snow, or warmer temperatures than expected. When in doubt stick to simple, lower-angle terrain to reduce the risk of triggering an avalanche. If stormy conditions occur they could make travel and observations more difficult. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Now that there is some new snow on the ground it’s time for the wind to pick up and blow it all around. You won’t need many clues to figure out where winds slabs are forming Monday - wind blown snow will probably just point the way.  It's also possible to hunt down fresh wind slabs by monitoring snow depth and stiffness as you gain elevation or change aspects. Scoured or eroded snow surfaces can help as well. You may find wind slabs below treeline in some areas.

    Start out the day with a conservative mindset and stick with lower-angle, wind sheltered terrain to reduce risk. Identify and avoid steep slopes that hold fresh wind slab. Natural avalanches could occur during periods of heavy snowfall and higher wind speeds. If you experience heavy snowfall look for unstable slabs in all steep terrain, not just in wind loaded areas.

    (12/31/2022)

    An example of a human-triggered avalanche in steep and convex wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

The current weather pattern is tricky to forecast so you may find avalanche conditions more or less hazardous than expected. Subtle changes in wind, precipitation, and temperature can have big impacts on how the day pans out. These variables affect avalanche reactivity (how easy to trigger), distribution (everywhere or just in a few places), and size. Be prepared to make and act on your own observations Monday.

Lower snow levels and yet another fast moving storm put down 4-8” across West North by late-afternoon Sunday. Heavy snowfall and strengthening winds began to build small, reactive wind lips and slabs in exposed areas. Some test features even produced shooting cracks by the end of the day. The new snow did much to improve riding conditions.

A few more small glide avalanches were observed, mostly slabs sliding off steep, wet rock faces. Though not a widespread hazard, glide avalanches, cornices and other wet avalanche types present some risk until temperatures drop and stay below freezing. Take note of what is overhead, especially if snow changes to rain or there is a sudden increase in temperature. 

Regions covered