Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could still trigger a lingering storm snow avalanche. Start small, beware large, convex slopes, and when in doubt, continue to avoid big, steep slopes. Small, shallow wet avalanches may run as temperatures warm up midday or if the sun comes out. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A couple of natural avalanches occurred on Monday, but we expect a continued downward trend in avalanche activity for Tuesday. We didn't receive any reports of human-triggered avalanches, but given the natural avalanche in the adjacent image was witnessed, possibilities of a human-triggered avalanche a day later remains. 

    We expect avalanches to run within the new storm snow layer, which predominantly fell Saturday night. Avalanches will probably be around a foot deep. Slides are most likely to be triggered on steep, convex rolls, and beneath or around cliffs. Avoid these locations on large slopes, or on any steep slopes where terrain traps exist below. When in doubt, avoid all terrain greater than 35°. 

    Avalanches will be easier to trigger on wind-loaded slopes.  These slides could be deeper and span wider than non wind-loaded areas. Search for textured or smooth pillowlike surfaces and avoid these in steep areas. 

    (2/17/2025)

    This natural slab avalanche occurred midday Monday near Herman Saddle in the Baker backcountry on a NW aspect at about 5300ft. It's unlikely for natural slab activity to continue into Tuesday, but human triggered avalanches are possible  

    Photo: John Minier - Baker Mtn Guides

  • Loose Wet

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

    A round of wet loose avalanches occurred on Monday. Temperatures are expected to be similar for Tuesday, and we may see another round of wet avalanche activity.

    Monitor snow surfaces. Due to moistening surfaces on Monday we might start the day with a thin soft crust.  If snow starts getting wet, and if you see rollerballs or any slides, avoid traveling on similar steep terrain or lower angle terrain beneath them. 

    Even if natural avalanches don't happen, you might be able to trigger one on a steep slope. In the morning there could be low clouds which could cause "greenhousing", where all aspects get moist. Potential afternoon sun breaks may mean that avalanche activity may be limited to steep slopes facing the sun, at least during that time period. 

    (2/17/2025)

    Shallow wet loose avalanches in the Baker backcountry on Monday. Similar activity could happen on Tuesday.  

    Photo: Phil Straub - Cascade Mtn Ascents

Avalanche Discussion

The recent storm tested the persistent slab now buried 3-4+ feet beneath the surface. So far, we have no confirmed avalanches that failed on this layer, although one avalanche was seen on Video Peak in the Baker backcountry, which likely failed during peak instability on Sunday, and is now partially filled in. From the photos (media gallery) it looks deeper than other avalanches this storm produced. Observers were unable to investigate due to hangfire concerns. This coming weekend will further test this layer, with a large, warm incoming storm in the forecast. Be mindful that mid and upper elevation slopes on the northerly half of the compass are where any deeper avalanches, although highly unlikely, would occur.

Snowfall amounts varied quite a bit in the zone, with the Baker backcountry receiving 6 inches to a foot or more depending on your elevation, and snowmobilers in the Glacier Creek area reported 15+ inches of snow. We suspect further south received even larger amounts. Precipitation mainly shut off Sunday night. Tuesday will be a relatively calm, mild day before more snow comes on Wednesday. 

If you get out in the backcountry, please share what you see by submitting an observation HERE or on the Avy App. 

Regions covered