Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is Low but there's a slight chance you could trigger a small avalanche in wind-loaded snow at upper elevations. Be on the lookout for wind-drifted snow if there are more than a few inches coating the crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Upper elevations vary in the amount of new snow above the crust. Some places have up to 6” while others are already quite scoured down and have nothing left to offer up for fresh slabs. You'll easily be able to identify the new snow depth as the amount above the early February crust. Any avalanches may slide far and easily on the crust surface. 

    Active wind transport is an easy identifier for wind loading, but winds are forecasted to be light, so new slabs probably aren't forming. Look for the scoured snow surfaces that show where the snow was stripped, and drifts where it ended up. Stomping on features like tiny cornices and test slopes will be the best way to see if there is any reactivity in the fresh slabs.

    Example photo: There's a very small chance you could trigger very small wind slabs on leeward sides of features at upper elevations, like this one, on Tuesday. 

Avalanche Discussion

We received a trace of snow Monday and a similar amount is forecasted for Tuesday- not enough to change conditions much. The early February crust is a stout layer that isn't expected to soften on Tuesday. At mid-elevations you might be able to find 1-2 inches above this crust, and that number may double or triple at upper elevations. 

Weak, faceted snow was found in the new snow layer above the crust in the neighboring West North zone. Wind slabs were reactive in some areas and stubborn to unreactive in others. Most were shallow and small enough to present little in the way of avalanche danger, similar to what you'll probably find if you make it to upper elevations in the West Central zone. 

No recent avalanches have been seen or reported. Debris and crowns from extremely large avalanches last weekend are still visible. Thanks to last week's warm, wet weather, expect to find an abundance of bare patches and exposed creeks at lower elevations and even up through mid-elevations. Travel is primarily on firm crusts, so prepare for travel over hard surfaces. 

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