Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanche danger is slowly improving, but it's still possible for human triggered avalanches to occur on wind loaded slopes. Search out stiffer slabs, pillowlike or textured surfaces, and heed warnings like long, shooting cracks, and avoid steep nearby slopes. If the sun is intense enough to moisten south-facing slopes, wet avalanches may occur on steep, sunny terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Danger is Moderate for triggering an avalanche on a wind slab on Tuesday. This means it's still possible to trigger an avalanche which could be large and kill you. Stability has likely improved since Sunday, when many human-triggered avalanches were reported, but danger isn't Low yet. Moderate danger means that it may be harder to find clues that you'll trigger an avalanche, and you might initiate avalanches in fewer locations than if danger were higher, but it could still happen.

    You may be stepping out into more high consequence terrain because you already tested smaller slopes and didn't get results. Now, if you're in a gully, around rock bands or cliffs, or on steep, unsupported slopes, those are the spots where wind slabs form and could be the most touchy. 

    Wind slabs could be 6 inches to 2 or more feet deep, but most likely a foot or less. You can evaluate the shallow upper layers with hand pits, test slopes, and other informal tests to check for bonding. The slabs have likely stiffened as it's been a couple days since they formed, although there may still be some new distribution at upper elevations. Feel for firmer snow and visualize textured or pillowlike surfaces. Consider avoiding these wind-affected areas on slopes steeper than 35°. Depending on where you are in the zone, activity may be different, as was seen on Sunday. 

    (1/12/2025) One of the many human triggered slab avalanches that occurred on wind loaded slopes on Sunday. 

Avalanche Discussion

Wet loose avalanches may occur on Tuesday if we get enough sun shining on steep slopes on the southern half of the compass. If you notice any rollerballs or wet loose avalanches, avoid traveling on or beneath similar slopes. Neighboring zones reported some wet avalanches on Sunday, and fewer on Monday. Crusts have already formed up to at least the mid elevations on sunny slopes.

Snow surfaces are highly variable, with crusts at lower elevations and steep sunny slopes, which will likely soften during the day. Varying amounts of wind slab and textured snow probably exists in many other areas. It's not out of the question that you can still find soft snow on shady, sheltered slopes. 

There were several human triggered avalanches on Sunday in neighboring zones. You can check out the the OBSERVATIONS page to see recent information. We truly appreciate everyone's sharing their experiences, especially if involved in an avalanche, as it's something that we can all learn from. Also, receiving observations from so many different areas provided great insights into how much the conditions vary, even within a zone.

If you make it into the backcountry, whether out for a walk, snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile, please share with us what you saw by submitting an observation HERE or on the App. 

 

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