Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Small isolated pockets of wind drifted snow could avalanche with a human trigger. Search for stiffer snow deposits in upper elevation terrain along ridgelines, on other leeward terrain, and around rocky outcroppings. Avoid steep slopes where you find these firmer snow layers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You may find small, reactive wind slabs at upper elevations on Friday. Any avalanches would require a human trigger, and are mainly located in above treeline areas. Use small test slopes or wind drifted features to evaluate wind slab characteristics as you travel. When you’re testing or first entering slopes, start from the top of the slope so that snow will not come down from above. Feel for stiffer, hollow snow. Look out for signs of cracking in front of you. Cracking and any signs of avalanches, large or small, or good indicators that another avalanche could happen. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees in areas where these signs are present.

    An example of a shallow wind slab failing near Austin Pass last winter. This would make an excellent test slope of low consequence. Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

Observers on Thursday found the thick blanket of snow we received over the past week (5+ feet) was consolidating well. They noted a few inches of light snow accumulated throughout the day, and winds increased slightly at upper elevations in the afternoon. They didn’t trigger any avalanches. In previous days, several reports of human triggered avalanches came in.  No avalanches in deeper new snow layers or involving either the December 8th or Early December rain crusts were reported. 

Looking into the weekend, a large storm arrives early Saturday bringing moisture at slightly warmer temperatures than the past week’s storm. Expect changing snow conditions and an increase in avalanche danger as the storm progresses.  

Keep in mind that our snowpack is not yet at midwinter depths - exposed creeks, rocks, and stumps are still very real hazards. Recent observations are mainly from the Baker backcountry vicinity. If you’re getting out anywhere else, we’d love to hear from you! Our platform allows private observations visible only to forecasters if you prefer. You can submit an observation HERE.

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