Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Winds will be plenty strong enough to drift snow into wind slabs on Wednesday.  Look for actively blowing snow and fresh slabs as you ascend in elevation. They'll be more likely on convex slopes, near ridgelines, or rocky features such as rocks and confined chutes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The most likely location for you to find consequential avalanches will be in wind-loaded terrain. Look for fresh cornices, drifts behind objects, or textured surfaces to help determine which way the wind was blowing and thus wind-loaded slopes. Wind slabs often appear as pillow-like drifts that look “fat”. They like to form near ridgelines, at the base of rocks or cliffs, or in confined chutes. If you notice cracking of the surface or blocks of snow failing during upslope tests, avoid wind-loaded features over 35 degrees.

    (12/22/2023)

    Cracks in recently wind transported snow near Harts Pass.

    Photo: Willie Webster

Avalanche Discussion

Weather stations indicate that the mountains around Washington Pass picked up a few inches of snow on Monday night. Expect similar new snow amounts on Tuesday, but this time , accompanied by the strongest winds we've seen in a while. 

On Monday, observers on the flanks of Silver Star Mtn reported light graupel accumulation and minimal blowing snow. They triggered very small, minor loose avalanches with ski cuts. On Friday, observers in the Harts Pass and Willow Creek areas noted significant blowing snow, fresh wind features (6-8" deep), and cracks in the new snow.

Recent snow from the past week fell on a variety of old surfaces. Surface hoar was seen particularly on shaded aspects. On the 20th, observers on Rainy Pass found it on the surface and buried in the top 8" of the snowpack. In steeper, more southerly terrain, a surface crust likely formed. Since these layers were buried, we haven't received any reports that they are currently problematic. However, in the neighboring East Central zone, NWAC forecasters found preserved surface hoar in the snowpack on Tuesday.  As you travel, take note of older snow layers by using small hand pits. 

Similarly, you can find older layers of buried surface hoar, the 12/10 crust (below ~6000ft), and the more prominent 12/7 atmospheric rain crust in the upper snowpack across the terrain.

Regions covered