Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You can trigger wind slabs on mid to upper elevation slopes on Sunday.  Notice where wind deposits snow, and avoid those areas on slopes greater than 35 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    An observer travelling in the  Mountain Loop Highway area on Saturday noted strong winds with clear evidence of snow transport.  He found reactive wind slabs breaking 6-18 inches deep. Expect similar conditions on Sunday, where your added weight can cause wind slab avalanches to fail 6 inches to almost 2 feet deep. Look for deposits on leeward slopes, where snow surfaces are pillow-like or textured by the wind. You will find the snow is stiffer in these spots than in non wind-affected areas. Avoid slopes greater than 35 degrees where these wind slabs are present.

    Wind slabs tend to break above you on the slope when they do fail, making escape very difficult. An avalanche ending in a slowly dissipating slope angle on a broad slope is much more survivable than finishing in trees, a cliff band, or a gully (terrain traps).  Take these factors into account if you are unsure of the slope you are about to commit to. 

    Cracking and human triggered wind slab avalanches 6-18" deep were found Saturday in the West Central zone. Photo: Steve Kuznetsov

Avalanche Discussion

I took a quick trip into the Mountain Loop Highway area this morning and I found a semi-supportable crust at lower elevations.  Skis floated on this crust, but your feet will break through to the loose snow beneath. Between that and exposed creeks and trees, lower elevation travel conditions are challenging.  The crust is on the surface to about 4200ft, where avalanche concerns remain low.  An observer noted that conditions are "dust on crust" from 4200ft to 4800ft. Above that elevation the crust disappears and there is more snow available for transport with the wind, leading to more potential for wind slab avalanches.  

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