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

Avalanche danger is probably Low in most places, but we've got enough uncertainty that large glide avalanches can unexpectedly release to keep avalanche danger at Moderate. Don't linger under steep slopes or cliffs where you see bulging or wrinkled-looking snow, glide cracks, or unstable-looking slabs or blocks of snow. Various crusts, wind-affected snow, and the occasional soft patch exist, so prepare for all snow conditions if you're headed into the backcountry.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

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

    Glide avalanches are not the variety of avalanches that you trigger. They occur naturally, usually during periods of prolonged warming when the entire snowpack releases from the underlying ground layer. Many slopes around the West North zone are frequent flyers for glide avalanches, such as the east-facing slopes of Mt Herman and Boulderfield slabs in the Baker backcountry, among other places.  

    It's nearly impossible to forecast when glide avalanches will release, so limiting your exposure to the problem is the primary way to reduce risk. Avoid or travel quickly beneath steep rock slabs or low shrub slopes if they're still coated in snow, especially if you identify glide cracks on the slope. This will primarily be on slopes facing the sun, but it's not impossible that glides could also release on shady aspects. 

    Cornices and other delicately perched snow features could drop unexpectedly during prolonged warming as well. In summary, avalanche danger is generally Low, but pay attention to overhead hazards. If cornices or other snow patches are sitting in precarious locations above you, or glide cracks are visible, beware of traveling beneath these features. 

    (1/22/2022)

    Example photo: Glide cracks and wrinkles visible on Table Mountain in the Baker backcountry. Consider avoiding travel beneath these features.  N, ~5300'

    Photo: Lee Lazzara

Avalanche Discussion

Loose wet avalanches should also be on your list of hazards, especially in upper-elevation areas that haven't yet produced many avalanches. Avoid travel on or below sunny slopes where you see fresh rollerballs, small wet avalanches, or find wet, mushy snow. Higher elevations will get very warm on Tuesday, and temperatures likely won't dip below freezing overnight. Lower elevations will stay a little cooler. Despite the warm temperatures, clear skies, low humidity and long wave radiation losses will likely freeze snow surfaces at all elevations overnight.

Many people went to the far reaches of the West North zone over the weekend, and no wind slabs big enough to be dangerous were reported. It's not without question that you may find bigger ones, or a small one that could get you into trouble if you climb into exposed alpine terrain. Search for pockets of smooth-looking wind slabs and assess for instability before traveling onto steep slopes with consequence like rocks, cliffs, or crevasses in the runout below. 

Snow surfaces vary widely between slick crust, wind-affected snow, heavily tracked-out slopes, and even some soft snow in shaded and sheltered terrain. Southerly slopes should warm enough over the next few days to produce soft snow that may produce nice sliding conditions if you're on skis or a board. Expect firm crust on these aspects in the morning and after the sun leaves the slope. 

The distribution of weak snow at the surface should shift this week with sunny aspects melting down but shaded slopes preserving surfacer and weak, faceted snow. Plenty of facets can be found below the surface on all aspects, often sandwiched between and around crust layers. 

Regions covered