Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Steer around slopes that are below snow-covered rocky cliffs, wrinkled or lumpy snow, glide cracks, and cornices. While temperatures remain warm, glide avalanches and chunks of snow can still fall unexpectedly and without warning. In areas without these overhead hazards, danger is low and concerns shift to travel over hard snow surfaces. 

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Identify glide cracks and other overhead hazards before you are directly below them. Give any of these features a wide berth, avoid the area completely, or travel hastily beneath them if you must travel in that area. Do not stop, regroup, or linger below this sketchy, unstable-looking snow. 

    An observer in the neighboring west north zone on Sunday reported hearing a crashing noise coming from a steep, south-facing slope, where other glide avalanches have occurred in recent days. They chose to retreat the way they came rather than taking the route that goes beneath these treacherous slopes. There were already new large debris piles that covered the common route in the area - a good indicator that this isn't the place to be right now. We suspect there may be locations with similar characteristics in the West Central zone.

    (1/16/2026)

    A large glide avalanche on the south face of Table Mountain in the Baker backcountry. 

    Photo: West Carlson

Avalanche Discussion

THIS observation from the West North zone on Saturday highlights key conditions and avalanche hazards, which are probably similar to what we're experiencing in the West Central zone. While no avalanches were witnessed, large debris piles from a recent avalanche covered common travel routes, which is concerning. This is a low likelihood, high consequence scenario: in the unlikely chance you're caught in one of these large, dangerous avalanches, you'll probably die. 

In neighboring zones, north-facing slopes have a thick surface crust, greater than a foot in some areas. South-facing slopes are softening midday. Despite temperatures in the 50's at mid-elevations, clear skies result in long-wave losses, which cause surface cooling. This makes it feel much colder than you'd think, especially in shaded areas or overnight. Inversions keep shaded mountain valleys much colder and frosty, even if daytime highs reach 40°.

Finally, beware that any faster modes of travel are generally unpleasant due to the hard, bumpy surfaces. Slide-for-life risks are present as well. Meanwhile, it's prime time for mountaineers.

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