Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A few inches of overnight snow with moderate to strong winds will increase the avalanche danger on Friday. Areas where new snow was redistributed into thicker wind drifts are where it is possible for you to trigger an avalanche. Steer around steep, wind-loaded slopes, especially as you gain elevation where wind had more of an influence.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We're expecting to see a few inches of snow overnight, which could slightly increase the avalanche danger on Friday. Search for clues of wind loading, indicated by rippled, textured surfaces or smooth, rounded pillows. Drifts tend to form on leeward sides of features. These include just below ridgelines, on convex rollovers, gully walls, or around rock outcroppings and cliffs. Approach steep, wind-affected slopes with caution, especially if they are in high-consequence locations like around terrain traps. Expect to find more wind loading and reactive slabs as you go up in elevation. If in doubt, steer around steep, wind-loaded locations. 

    An example of a shallow wind slab avalanche which failed on a steep, convex rollover. This is similar to what you might encounter on Friday. Photo: Peter Sundberg

Avalanche Discussion

A little rain is expected to fall at lower elevations, and the snow will be moist. There probably isn't enough low density snow at these lower elevations for wet loose avalanches to be a concern, but keep alert for them if you're out on Friday. Right now there's a lot of variability with backcountry conditions. You may find surprising pockets of low density snow at mid to upper east, north and west elevations that still haven't been affected by the last few day's wind, and you'll also find a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Steep southerly aspects formed a sun crust on Sunday.  At near and above treeline elevations you'll probably start the day with a few inches of new snow, and it'll likely be redistributed by wind in many areas. Uncertainty exists about how much precipitation we'll see. If we get more snow than forecasted, avalanche danger may be higher than expected. 

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