Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

At upper elevations, new snow and windy conditions will increase the possibility of triggering avalanches. Travel cautiously around steep terrain features where the wind has blown the snow into pillow-like drifts in open terrain or near ridges. Challenging travel conditions still present non-avalanche hazards and a risk of long falls on icy slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Above 5000ft precipitation will likely fall as snow and moderate to strong winds may build wind slabs on lee aspects. If wind slabs form on slick crusts, they may be easy to trigger. Look for signs of wind deposited snow on open slopes and near ridges. If you see signs of cracking, experience whumphing collapses, or the snow feels hollow, you should steer around steep terrain features. 

    (12/29/2021)

    Example of a small wind slab.

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

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

    A mild inversion has kept the valleys colder than the higher elevations and a melt-feeze crusts at most aspects and elevations. Inversion conditions will likely mix out Thursday mid-morning, and temperatures will bump up above freezing. We expect the snowpack to be either well adjusted to warm temperatures or locked down under thick crusts. Still, there is some uncertainty if the warm temperatures will be enough to break down surface crusts and create a wet loose avalanche problem. But if you're not standing on a crust and you find yourself sinking above your ankles into wet unconsolidated snow, it will be best to avoid steep terrain. Also, be cautious of steep rock slabs still holding snow in overhead terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

This storm will hopefully be enough to improve surface conditions slightly. But you can still expect variable snow surface conditions, including dust on crust, supportable slick crust, breakable crust. You may also find yourself facing the potential for long slides on firm, icy slopes. Rain to high elevations on the 12th and 13th spurred a cycle of large (D2.5) wet avalanches in many areas, so you may also need to navigate large debris piles in the runouts of large avalanche paths. This new snow may fall on a surface hoar, observed over the crust in sheltered and shaded areas. Whether new snow rests on crusts or weak snow grains, quick hand pits will be a great way to observe how well the new snow sticks to the underlying surface. 

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