Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Temperatures are expected to lower on Tuesday night, bringing snow back to the mountains on Wednesday. Be leery of convex rollovers or other wind-loaded features where triggering an avalanche in the new snow is more likely. Hazards such as open creeks or frozen avalanche debris may make travel difficult.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There may be just enough new snow and wind to form shallow wind slabs on Wednesday. They could build throughout the day on leeward slopes near ridgelines, by rocky features such as the base of cliffs, or on the sides of confined gullies/chutes. You can look for actively blowing snow, large drifts, or textured surfaces to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid.

    Anticipate slabs to be larger and possibly more reactive as you ascend in elevation or on the volcanoes where more snow fell on Tuesday.

    (2/26/2026)

    Example: Blowing snow, textured surfaces, rime, and drifts make it easy to locate wind loaded slopes. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday was another soggy day in the West South zone, with rain reaching the tops of most mountain peaks, except the volcanoes. Lucky for us, the snowpack was well-suited to handle this additional water after last week's deluge.  The wind was cranking, with gusts recorded in the 70s or 80s at almost all NWAC weather stations. On-the-ground observations were extremely limited.

As we look forward to Wednesday and a return to snow, we anticipate a moderate bond to the current warm and wet surface. However, a nearly thick foot crust exists just below the rain-soaked snow, which could provide a good bed surface for any triggered avalanche to run on.

We have no concerns below this stout interface, but you could see some wet avalanche activity above it. Rollerballs, pinwheels, or push-a-lanches aren't out of the question this time of the season whenever there's new snow. After an exceptionally rainy day on Tuesday, a blob of snow could fall from a rocky ledge in isolated locations on Wednesday.

As has been the case much of the season, you may need to contend with travel hazards if you're heading for the hills. Open creeks, frozen avalanche debris, down trees, and bare ground are commonplace right now, particularly at lower elevations or on southerly aspects.

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