Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Fresh slabs of wind drifted new snow will be the primary avalanche hazard Friday. Identify and avoid steep terrain with smooth or pillow-like slabs, especially on the downwind side of ridgelines and other terrain features. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A weak but cold weather system will bring 3-6” of new snow. Forecast wind speeds are not especially strong but still pack the punch to transport snow. Wind slabs will be easier to trigger where they form on crust on southerly aspects or over weak, faceted snow and surface hoar.

    Wind affected surfaces could be hidden by a few inches of light snow. Track the depth and stiffness of new snow layers as you gain elevation and switch aspects to help identify areas of wind slab. Look for and test freshly wind drifted features to get a feel for the reactivity of fresh wind slabs. When in doubt just steer around steep wind loaded features on lower angle and well supported terrain. 

    (2/15/2023)

    Small natural and human triggered wind slab pockets can help you identify the wind loading pattern in surrounding terrain.

    Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

Loose snow avalanches are another consideration for Friday. Light new snow should sluff easily on steep slopes. Afternoon sun breaks might bring about signs of instability like small rollerballs.

A pattern of isolated but large natural and human triggered avalanches has played out in the past week in the zones surrounding West Central. Though details vary in terms of layering, triggering and terrain, all of the reported avalanches show that the current snowpack is not entirely bombproof.  Though bigger avalanches in deeper layers are becoming unlikely, a big load from heavy snowfall, rain, falling cornice, or a smaller avalanche could still wake one up. Check the forecasts for neighboring zones for more information.

 

 

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