Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A powerful storm will arrive early in the morning. Stick to simple, sheltered, low-angle terrain and avoid travel under large, steep slopes. Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and poor visibility should make travel conditions challenging.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    West North should be the first zone to see heavy snowfall, with fresh slabs forming quickly and becoming increasingly reactive through the morning. The greatest hazard will be in wind-loaded terrain, but look for slab or loose-snow instabilities in wind-sheltered areas as well. A subtle rise in temperatures could further increase reactivity.

    Test slopes and hand pits can help assess how well the new snow is bonding, but stormy weather may keep you confined to small, low-angle terrain regardless of what you find. Don’t ignore obvious red flags like long shooting cracks or recent avalanche activity.

    Avalanche danger may escalate quickly. If you find touchy slabs or observe natural avalanche activity, assume HIGH danger and avoid avalanche terrain at all elevations.

    (4/1/2023)

    Storm slab avalanches can be found in sheltered areas as well as in more wind-exposed terrain.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Backcountry observers reported better stability on Monday compared to the day prior. Previously reactive wind slabs at mid-elevations were largely unreactive, with loose snow sluffing the primary concern in steep terrain.  One small slab (D1) was intentionally triggered on a steep and unsupported mid-elevation slope . Riding conditions were reported to be quite good. As of early Monday evening, no observations were submitted from upper elevation, alpine terrain.

Heather Meadows picked up around 12 inches of new snow over the weekend. Above 5000 feet, observers reported roughly 2 feet sitting on top of the crust buried on Saturday morning. The new snow came down with falling temperatures, is generally right-side-up, and appears well-bonded to the crust below. Wet avalanche problems have diminished for the time being with lower temperatures and an end to low elevation rainfall.

Regions covered