Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Friday’s sunshine and warmth could weaken the surface snow on steep, sunlit slopes, raising the potential for wet loose avalanches. While most slides should be small, they can be dangerous if they push you into cliffs, tree bands, or terrain traps. If you notice fresh avalanches, rollerballs, pinwheels, or boot-deep wet snow, seek out shadier or lower-angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    After a sunny Thursday, all sun-exposed slopes should start Friday with a surface crust. These crusts will take some time to break down, depending on the strength of the overnight refreeze. Once they do, it’s time to switch aspects or move to lower-angle terrain. Expect avalanche potential to track the sun—starting on east-facing slopes before shifting to south and west. If direct sunlight reaches east-northeast or west-northwest slopes, they could also become reactive, so stay alert. While unlikely, an isolated large wet loose slide can’t be ruled out.

    Keep in mind that cornices are large and could fail during this warming trend. Stand far back and ensure you are on solid ground.

    (2/27/2025)

    A natural wet loose avalanche near Far Away Rock on Mt Rainier. Avalanches will be possible on steep and sunlit slopes on Friday. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Under sunny skies, White Pass and Mount Rainier reached into the 50's on Thursday, while Crystal stayed a bit cooler in the low 40's. Despite the warm temps and full sun, minimal wet loose activity was observed. Southwesterly breezes may have helped to keep the warming of the snow surface at bay. There were certainly some rollerballs and small push-a-lanches, but that's about all we've heard of. Due-north slopes are still holding cold, dense storm snow, though the wind has left variable surfaces in many areas. Meanwhile, any slope receiving direct sun became wet and heavy on Thursday. Even low-angle north facing slopes, as well as east-northeast and west-northwest slopes started to moisten. Friday brings the warmest temperatures and lightest winds of the week. While clear skies should allow for a refreeze, it may not penetrate deeply and surfaces could break down quickly. All to say, there could be a slight uptick in wet activity as compared to Thursday. 

Depending on your elevation, you will find between 5-20" of storm snow resting on the budding 2/24 crust. The thickness and hardness of the crust will be variable. At lower-elevations, it may not yet be totally frozen. The 2/24 is fast becoming "new ground", limiting avalanche potential to the snow above. Encouragingly, a snow hole dug on Friday showed that the old January weak layers had undergone a comforting metamorphism to melt forms. 

Most wind slabs from the storm on Tuesday have settled out, however, there could still be an isolated old slab at the middle and upper elevations, or a freshly formed slab up high. Be on alert in steep and complex shaded terrain. Rocky faces, tops of couloirs, and below cliff bands are some examples of locations where this could still be an issue. Identify wind slabs by looking for textured surfaces, dunes, or pillow-like deposits, and consider avoiding steep slopes where you see these signs.

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