Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Cooling temperatures, new snow, and moderate winds will create shallow drifts in alpine areas. It will be possible to trigger small wind slabs where the drifts are more than 6 inches deep. Enter steep terrain features cautiously and test the new snow before committing to your route. Avoid steep slopes where dry snow is becoming wet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The weather forecast is calling for cooling temperatures and 4-5" of new snow by Sunday morning.

    The new snow should be well bonded to the old snow surface, but westerly winds will create small slabs on leeward alpine slopes. 

    Unstable snow will probably be found close to ridgelines, or at the top of alpine start zones.

    Test the sensitivity of new snow / old snow interface before committing to consequential slopes. 

    This test slope cracked easily under the weight of a ski. Sunday's storm may create similar conditions. Cracks like this are a good sign that you can trigger avalanches on wind-loaded slopes. Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

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

    We may see wet loose avalanching as new snow is rapidly weakened by the afternoon sun. 

    If the sun is strong, expect activity to start on southerly aspects, then shift to westerly later in the day. These avalanches should only entrain the couple inches of new snow,  but they could become large where they funnel into gullies. 

    Pay attention to rapid changes in the snow surface, rollerballs, and avalanches on similar slopes.  It's time to leave and head for shady slopes, or lower-angle terrain when you start noticing these indicators. 

    (1/18/2021) Old wet loose avalanches in the Baker Backcountry. Photo: Matt Crisler

Avalanche Discussion

The last reported slab avalanches in this zone occurred on 3/30. In most areas, the recent storm snow is now well bonded to a firm underlying crust (3/28). Even though warming temperatures and sunshine made wet loose avalanche activity the primary concern over the past few days the warm-up was fairly muted -- our most active day was 3/31 which produced rollerballs and a few small wet loose avalanches (D1.5) on solar slopes. 

Snow surface conditions are variable and have been affected by warming, sun, or wind in most areas. A melt-freeze crust exists on E-S-W aspects at all elevations, while cold, dry snow lingers on northerly aspects above 5000ft. 

A little new snow will make the alpine riding good, but expect conditions to deteriorate rapidly on sunny slopes in the afternoon.

Cornices are large and looming. Take them seriously and be cautious along ridgelines and in cornice run-out zones.

We've seen isolated glide avalanches in other zones. Limit your time below open glide cracks and/or cliff faces that continue to hold snow. 

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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