Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet, mushy snow could slide with a human trigger, especially if the sun rapidly softens more snow on steep, south-facing slopes. Beware additional hazards during these warm temperatures, like increased cornice fall chances, and chunks of snow breaking free from steep, wet rock features. If the snow is frozen, there's very little chance you'll trigger an avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches could still happen if the snow stays soggy. We suspect most natural activity has already occurred, with any remaining avalanches more likely to be human-triggered. If skies clear and we get a freeze Wednesday night, avalanche activity should be mostly limited to steep southerly slopes as they soften in the sun. Keep in mind that cloud cover and overnight freezing may vary across the zone, and light to moderate winds could slow additional surface warming.

    The most likely places to trigger wet avalanches will be on steep, open slopes with fewer surface irregularities. If you’re wallowing in wet, heavy snow deeper than a couple inches, that’s a good signal to dial back to lower-angle terrain. As the sun heats and softens slopes, shift to shadier aspects.

    Use extra caution around terrain traps, where even a small avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, creeks, or off a cliff.

    Example photo: Wet slides that were triggered by skiers crossing the top of the slope. This is similar to what you might cause on Thursday. 

Avalanche Discussion

Freezing levels will soar to over 12,000ft on Thursday. Beware additional snow hazards, like increased chances of cornice fall, and isolated blocks of snow perched on steep, rocky cliffs breaking free and sliding down. Either of these failures could entrain more snow as they reach snow-covered slopes. Although most areas with glide avalanche concerns probably still have a thick crust locking them in place, you might consider traveling quickly beneath gaping glide cracks. 

A forecaster went up the Cascade River Rd towards Monogram Lake and didn't find skiable snow until 4500ft. Snow remained soft and they couldn't see or trigger any avalanches, but wouldn't be surprised if you could trigger one on a steep, smooth surface. Another observer was on the north side of Baker again, and only found thick crusts at higher elevations- apparently, there was more of a freeze and even less concern for wet avalanche activity in this area. There was dry snow above the forecast zone. The natural cycle that had occurred in the Baker backcountry eased by Wednesday, and the lingering wet snow was stubborn. 

Regions covered