Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche problems are limited to loose snow in very steep terrain and fresh slabs in areas experiencing increasing winds. Pay attention to changes in the snow surface throughout the day. Have a backup plan if you find conditions are much different than expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Observers in different areas of the forecast zone found minimal wind effects or slab formation on Friday. While there currently isn’t much of a slab, a bit of wind will have no trouble drifting loose snow and forming fresh slabs. Wind speeds will vary throughout the day. This will primarily be an upper-elevation problem, or possibly farther east in the zone near North Cascades NP.

    Drifting snow will be the main sign of active transport. Monitor snow depth and stiffness over the crust just below as you gain elevation and change aspects. Small test slopes, hand pits, and other simple tests can help you gauge the bond of new wind slab layers. If you find only loose snow, then wind slabs are not the main avalanche problem.

    (1/23/2022)

    Flags of snow blowing off high peaks are some of the early signs you could encounter wind slab.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Dry

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

    Snow from the last storm was observed to have a poor bond with the crust that formed a few days ago. The snow surface has stiffened slightly, but loose dry avalanches should still be on your radar in consequential terrain. Expect to push some snow downhill with you as you descend or traverse steep slopes. Natural loose dry avalanches are also possible below cliffs and other very steep features. These sluffs are unlikely to bury you, but could push you around or carry you somewhere you don’t want to go.

    (3/13/2026)

    Loose dry avalanches on the west side of Table Mountain in the Baker Backcountry.

    Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

The sun is not forecast to make much of an appearance on Saturday, but if it does, be ready to see loose wet avalanches initiating from steep rocky terrain. Keep track of what’s going on overhead as the day warms.

Observers in both Canyon Creek and the Baker Backcountry found 6 to 12 inches of snow over the most recent crust. The crust is generally soft and not supportable above 5,000 ft. Loose, dry avalanches were the main concern, with some naturals on Table Mountain running far and growing to D1.5. Minimal signs of wind transport were observed in both areas.

It’s worth noting the extreme variation in danger over a short distance in the Cascade Range. While West North observers felt avalanche danger was limited and quite easy to anticipate, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, sympathetic releases, and closed highways were reported from Stevens Pass and other zones. With this in mind, be prepared to find conditions quite different from what has been stated here if heading to less traveled parts of the forecast zone.

Regions covered