Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

A few inches of snow will fall by the end of the day, and avalanche danger will slowly increase as snowfall accumulates. It is possible that you could trigger avalanches in the new snow, which may also include some of the 6 inches we received Saturday night in wind drifted areas, such as along ridgelines, around rocky outcroppings, and in gullies. Steer around steep areas where you notice thicker drifts, or notice signs of unstable snow such as shooting cracks. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    After our first bluebird "warm" day in weeks, we're right back into another April winter storm. The West Central Zone is only expected to get three or four inches by the end of the day. Drifts which already formed at upper elevations may continue to grow a little larger with the additional snow and wind throughout the day.  You're most likely to find drifted areas on the leeward slopes near ridges, in gullies, and around rocky outcroppings. Slabs you could trigger may not be large enough to bury you,  but if you're in high consequence terrain it could still take you for a scary ride. 

    Search for signs of wind loading by feeling for firmer, thicker snow beneath you. Visually hunt for clues such as textured or featured snow surfaces and actively blowing snow. Don't ignore obvious signs such as cracking. If you encounter thicker drifts, steer around slopes greater than 35 degrees. You're likely to find wind slabs most reactive at exposed higher elevations, but they could reach down to the uppermost areas of below treeline. 

    Pay attention to obvious clues like cracking, and avoid steep slopes if you encounter conditions like this. 

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

On my trip to Lake 22 on Saturday I found surface hoar on the snow surface. Especially on north-facing slopes, this may have stayed preserved and been buried by the 6 inches we received Saturday night. A combination of this, and potential faceting both near the old snow surface and above the 4/8 crust on north-facing slopes means that we could see a more touchy snowpack when enough new snow builds on top of our existing layers. Keep this in mind on Monday, and as more snow continues to add weight over these possible buried layers. 

You'll probably find moist snow thanks to the warmer temperatures below treeline. Surfaces were already affected by previous warming, but if you start noticing any rollerballs or small slides coming down, avoid steep nearby slopes. All aspects aside from north moistened on Sunday, and at mid to upper elevations you'll find a crust on those aspects. You probably won't encounter wind slabs on the aspects where a crust is under small amounts of new snow, but make sure to evaluate as you travel in case you find thicker drifts. This crust could also make for less enjoyable surfaces for travel. 

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