Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

An uptick in morning winds will redistribute light, fluffy snow into reactive drifts, so expect new deposits to form that are likely to avalanche with a human trigger. Danger will increase as you gain elevation and work your way into more wind-affected terrain, so steer clear of newly wind-drifted snow on steep slopes higher up. Increasing temperatures and a little rain at lower elevations could result in small wet avalanches in the afternoon. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You're likely to trigger an avalanche in newly formed wind slabs from an uptick in wind on Saturday. There's an abundance of low-density snow that wind can redistribute into freshly formed slabs.  New drifts could range from a couple of inches to over a foot deep. Expect size and reactivity to increase as you climb in elevation. 

    Search for new, thicker, and heavier slabs around rocky outcroppings and features, in gullies and along ridgelines. Drifts may have textured surfaces or thicker, smooth surfaces. Obvious clues may exist, like long cracks shooting out from your or your sled's weight. Pay attention to other obvious clues like transitioning from lighter, fluffier snow to heavier snow that you don't sink as deeply into. Avoid steep slopes where you identify any of these characteristics. Natural avalanches are another clear indicator you want to avoid steep terrain- and possibly terrain beneath steep slopes as well. 

     

    (1/9/2026)

    A recent snowmobile-triggered  avalanche in the Bearpaw area at Canyon Creek reportedly failed about 10 inches deep on a wind slab. 5800ft, N. More avalanches like this one could happen on Saturday.

    Photo: Hilary Groh

  • Loose Wet

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

    On Saturday, we'll reach the warmest temperatures we've seen since the last storm came to a close. Afternoon showers may be rain at lower elevations as well. Rain landing on snow that was previously dry could result in a big uptick in wet avalanche activity. This will most likely be the case at lower elevations, but moist surfaces may reach up into mid elevations. 

    If it's raining or snow surfaces are sticky and moist, start thinking about wet avalanche activity. Rollerballs or small slides are good indicators. Treebombs are another good indicator, or could initiate a slide. When you start experiencing wet snow, especially if it's on previously light, dry snow, start steering around steep slopes and where avalanches can run to beneath steep paths. Wet avalanche activity could be pretty minimal on Saturday, or it could really take off, depending on what happens with temperatures and rain amounts. 

    Example photo: Rollerballs initiating from trees and other steep, rocky areas. These are indicators that more wet avalanche activity could follow. 

Avalanche Discussion

NWAC is aware of an avalanche involvement in the East Central Zone, Teanaway River/Longs Pass area. Information is currently limited. We are working with local authorities and Search and Rescue personnel. We will update once more information is available.

Old wind slabs were stubborn in the Baker backcountry on Friday. Meanwhile, at Bearpaw in Canyon Creek, a few small natural and snowmobile-triggered ten-inch avalanches failing on wind slabs were reported. That being said, there were a lot of riders out, and a lot of slope testing was done without too much movement in the snow. Most areas are still hanging on to an abundance of cold, dry powder that remained light and fluffy since the storm ended on Wednesday. There's a good chance wind will change this on Saturday. 

Temperatures are slowly increasing as of Friday evening. This should continue through Saturday morning, before a slight downturn. Precipitation timing is uncertain, and it may start before the day's end on Saturday. We only expect a maximum of a couple inches up high, or enough rain for that uptick of wet avalanches at lower elevations, before we get 8-12 inches Saturday night up high, which will be rain at lower elevations. Hopefully you were able to enjoy the powder for the short period that we had it!

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