Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Highlights

The sun and warming temperatures could trigger loose avalanches on steep, southerly slopes. You may also be able to trigger avalanches below ridgelines and the base of cliffs where you find recently wind-drifted snow. Consider steering around steep terrain with deep drifts or textured surfaces. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The sun could set off a small round of loose (dry or wet) avalanches. Watch for typical indicators like strong sun, weak, moist snow, and natural avalanches and rollerballs. If you encounter these things, plan to move off steep, sun-exposed slopes before the snow becomes weak enough to trigger a slide. Be aware of steep, overhead terrain and cornices. Don't linger where hazards could come down from above.

     

    (2/5/2026)

    Roller balls and a small wet loose avalanche. Rainy Lake, 6,700ft, SE

    Photo: NCH

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Most wind slabs won't be large, but could be dangerous near terrain traps or in consequential terrain.  Look for long shooting cracks on small test slopes or stiff surface snow that slides easily in hand pits as signs to consider choosing lower-angle or sheltered terrain.

    After 5-6" of snow on the 7th and northwest-southwesterly winds, a new round of shallow wind slabs formed on lee aspects. On Sunday and Monday, professionals reported triggering a few, mostly small avalanches. In addition to fresh shallow wind slabs, older slabs exist over weak snow on the 1/28 crust.  While becoming less likely, an avalanche on this deeper crust could be 1.5-2 feet deep. Consider the consequences of triggering a large avalanche before committing to consequential terrain. 

    (2/8/2026)

    A triggered wind slab avalanche. Snagtooth Peak (S of Silverstar) 8" thick, 50ft wide, ran 300ft

Avalanche Discussion

On Tuesday, the primary variables will be cloud cover and intensity of the sun. If there's enough sun, check whether snow surfaces are becoming moist. Loose avalanches could be either dry or wet. 

There is now 5-6" of fresh snow over the 2/7 interface, which varies by aspect.  On steep, southerly aspects, it's a melt-freeze crust which would be thicker than the more common "zipper crusts" in flatter terrain. On northerly aspects and at upper elevations, the interface will be dry snow.

The January 28th interface is buried 10-20" deep, and often shows up as a well-defined crust, though not everywhere. The crust has mostly been a non-issue. There have been a couple of larger, triggered wind slab avalanches that likely ran on this interface, notably on 2/4 (see photo below). Last week, professionals conducted extensive digging to track the January 28th interface. At upper-elevation north-east aspects, a couple of profiles revealed either a discernible (1cm) weak layer or large (1.5mm) well-preserved stellars immediately above the crust.  Multiple other profiles in the Hwy 20 corridor, including at similar aspects and elevations, didn't find a weak layer or potentially problematic grains above the crust. While isolated and tricky to identify, suspect slopes will be leeward and above 6,500ft. It remains to be determined whether the crust and any associated weak layer will continue to produce avalanches.

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