Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains low as up to 4 inches of snow arrives by Sunday afternoon. However, small loose dry or slab avalanches may occur in the new snow, especially if snowfall amounts are closer to 4 inches. Use extra care while travelling, as many surfaces are icy or variable, hidden just beneath the new snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Snow forecast amounts vary, but if we receive closer to 4 inches of snow, small avalanches will occur on steep slopes. In some areas this snow will fall upon a smooth, icy layer, and that slippery bed surface will contribute to more avalanches and they will run further. Additionally northerly aspects may harbor weak surface layers that could also contribute to a bad interface with Sunday's new snow. 

    Snowfall is expected from early morning and most intensely about midday, so expect the danger to rise as snow increases throughout the day.  Danger will most likely remain within the “low” danger rating due to the relatively minimal amount of new snow.  However use your own judgement based on new snow totals and its reactivity to determine if you need to dial it back a notch while accessing steep terrain. 

    Small dry snow avalanches could naturally occur on Sunday. You could possibly trigger them too.

Avalanche Discussion

The long period of high pressure has ended, and small amounts of precipitation will continue in the coming days. Cooler temperatures means snow will fall well below where our current snowline sits, at about 2400ft. We won’t see much snow, but hopefully enough to soften the hard surfaces from the last week.  

Friday I ski toured in the Mountain Loop Highway area and found challenging travel conditions. There were a lot of variable and hard snow surfaces hindering travel, which I've heard about from other people as well. For us, ski crampons were a must. Expect to continue finding the difficult conditions under a few inches of new snow. At lower elevations open creeks will still present a problem, as well as downed trees and branches from the wind event on Jan 12.  

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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