Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Loose wet avalanches are the primary concern as temperatures rise, especially if the sun makes an appearance. Step away from steep slopes showing signs of wet instability, like rollerballs or small loose wet avalanches. Wind slabs still linger on very steep, wind-loaded features at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Temperatures and freezing levels are rising after a few days of cold weather. Temperatures alone may be enough to soften the snow surface, with additional warming if the sun appears. While solar aspects will be the first to react, signs of instability may also develop on shaded slopes as the day progresses. Lower elevations should stay cooler with temperature inversions and clouds.

    Look for small loose wet avalanches initiating in steep, rocky, treed, or cliffy terrain as the day warms. Wet activity should remain limited in size, but conditions may change quickly if the sun breaks through. Keep an eye on what’s happening above you. Rollerballs and very small loose snow avalanches are clear signs that the snow surface is warming and becoming unstable.

    Sticky snow and rollerballs are typical first signs that the snow surface is warming.  

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are becoming harder to trigger, but they haven’t disappeared. As they stiffen, they may be less likely to release, yet more surprising if you do manage to find one. Fresher slabs may still exist in high-alpine terrain where winds remain strong enough to transport snow.

    Use rippled snow and scoured surfaces to identify wind-loaded terrain, and pay attention to changes in snow stiffness and depth. Test slopes and hand pits offer limited feedback with stiff slabs. The easiest way to reduce risk is to avoid very steep, unsupported, wind-loaded features and complex or rocky terrain where wind slabs linger.

    (12/27/2025)

    A fresh skier-triggered slab avalanche on a wind-loaded slpope. North aspect of Table Mt/West North at 5500'.

    (SS-D1.5-AS-S)

    Photo: Jere Burrell - Guided Exposure

Avalanche Discussion

A bit more sun and warmer temperatures were the biggest differences on Sunday compared to the day prior. After picking up an inch or two of snow overnight, the White Chuck Tripod saw a temperature increase of 17 degrees between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Observers in West North reported that yesterday’s fluff had settled into a more cohesive layer. Clouds and light snow flurries were a big contrast to the full sun on Saturday and helped keep snow surfaces cool despite warmer temperatures (+10°F at 5,000 feet). The most notable observation was a report of a human-triggered avalanche on a steep east aspect of Table Mountain at 5,000 feet. The slab released above the December 24 crust. Both Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass stayed clouded in at pass level for most of the day, though there was likely a bit more sun at upper elevations. No new avalanches were reported despite warming temperatures and softening snow surfaces.

The 1–2 feet of snow that fell Wednesday afternoon through Friday has begun settling over the crust. For the most part, bonding within the new snow layers and at the crust–new snow interface has grown stronger, but instability can still be found in steep terrain. The crust can be found anywhere from near the surface to over 2 feet deep, depending on aspect, elevation, and exposure to wind and sun. A surface sun crust was reported on some southerly aspects.

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