Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It's getting harder to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow, but just because you can't see obvious clues doesn't mean it's not going to happen. You may see long shooting cracks, wind textured snow or pillowlike features, or you might just feel stiffer snow beneath you, but there's still a chance you could trigger an avalanche in one of these deposits. Stability has likely improved since Sunday when many human triggered avalanches were reported, but if you have any doubt, continue to avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Danger is Moderate for triggering an avalanche on a wind slab on Tuesday. This means it's still possible to trigger an avalanche which could be large and kill you. Stability has likely improved since Sunday, when many human-triggered avalanches were reported, but danger isn't Low yet. Moderate danger means that it may be harder to find clues that you'll trigger an avalanche, and you might initiate avalanches in fewer locations than if danger were higher. That doesn't matter if you're caught in an avalanche.

    You may be stepping out into more high consequence terrain because you already tested smaller slopes and didn't get results. Now you might be in a gully, around rock bands or cliffs, or on steep, unsupported slopes, and those are the spots where wind slabs form and could be the most touchy. This is a good reminder for all of us, myself included, as sometimes we forget what Moderate danger means, and it's important to atop and reevaluate before stepping into high consequence terrain. 

    Wind slabs could be 6 inches to 2 or more feet deep, but most likely a foot or less. You can evaluate the shallow upper layers in hand pits, test slopes, and use other informal tests to check for bonding. The slabs have likely stiffened as it's been a couple days since they formed, although there may still be some new distribution at upper elevations. Feel for firmer snow and visualize textured or pillowlike surfaces. Consider avoiding these wind-affected areas on slopes steeper than 35°. Depending on where you are in the zone, activity may be different, as was seen on Sunday. 

    (1/12/2025)

    A human-triggered slab avalanche in the Stoneman Couloir in the Baker backcountry. The gully was wind loaded, with obvious areas of thicker deposits in the crown. We're so glad to hear everyone made it out unharmed, and appreciate the group sharing details with NWAC. 5900ft, NE-SE.

    ASu - SS - D2 - I

Avalanche Discussion

Wet loose avalanches may occur on Tuesday if we get enough sun shining on steep slopes on the southern half of the compass. If you notice any rollerballs or wet loose avalanches, avoid traveling on or beneath similar slopes. There were some wet avalanches on Sunday, and fewer on Monday. Crusts have already formed up to at least 4500ft on steep sunny slopes. 

Snow surfaces are highly variable, with crusts at lower elevations and steep sunny slopes, which will likely soften during the day. Varying amounts of wind slab and textured snow probably exists in many other areas. It's not out of the question that you can still find soft snow on shady, sheltered slopes. 

Avalanche danger from wind slabs ranged from the low end of Moderate to the spicy end of Moderate, maybe even Considerable, at mid and upper elevations on Sunday. Many human triggered avalanches were reported. You can check out the the OBSERVATIONS page to see recent information. We truly appreciate everyone's sharing their experiences, especially if you were involved in an avalanche, as it's something that we can all learn from. Also, receiving observations from so many different areas provided greater insights into how much the conditions vary from one end of the zone to the other, and how hard it is to represent one danger rating for the whole zone. Monday was relatively quiet, as expected, although we did receive one observation from the Baker backcountry (HERE) sharing that snow depths over the crust buried on 1/10  varied greatly, as did the wind-affected snow on top's ability to slide in tests. 

If you make it into the backcountry, whether out for a walk, snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile, please share with us what you saw by submitting an observation HERE or on the App. 

 

 

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