Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at mid and upper elevations. Triggering an avalanche could not only bury you but also drag you across a shallow snowpack, carrying you into rocks, stumps, and other natural hazards. If you find yourself traveling through unusually deep snow, or firm wind-blown snow, move to lower angle terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs should be on the top of your radar as you head into the mountains on Wednesday. Expect them to develop at mid and upper elevations and become larger and easier to trigger with increasing elevation. Look for wind slab formation on slopes down wind of ridges and exposed features. Extreme winds may also create unusual loading patterns, such as mid-slope, in-between tree islands, and well below cliff bands. Additionally, storm slabs may also develop in sheltered terrain. 

    At mid and upper elevations, expect full winter weather with limited visibility. Wind-exposed slopes will be scoured, while leeward slopes may hold significantly deeper deposits of wind-transported snow. Limit your exposure by traveling in wind-sheltered terrain and choosing slopes less than 30 degrees. If you notice strong wind blowing snow, or feel deep, dense snow underfoot, it's time to exit avalanche terrain.

    (4/9/2025)

    Wind slabs often form just downwind of ridges, as seen in this avalanche last winter. Crystal Mountain Resort.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

The Pacific Northwest has experienced a wild stretch of weather, and it doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. Snow levels will drop to around 2,500 feet Tuesday night and persist through Wednesday, bringing 1–2 feet of new snow across all elevations, with even greater totals possible at the highest elevations. A brief midday warm-up is possible, but expect predominantly winter conditions. Extreme winds will accompany this system, creating harsh travel conditions and likely poor visibility.

At low elevations, any new snow will initially accumulate on bare ground, limiting any avalanche hazard. Thus, a hazard rating is not applied at low elevations for this forecast period. That being said, if significant snowfall continues, hazard may begin to build at lower areas.

Trailhead and road access remain major concerns across the forecast area following the recent flood damage. Extreme winds through Wednesday could also contribute to additional damage across the West South zone. If you're seeking out fresh snow, please remain patient as we all work with the situation at hand. Double-check route access, plan conservatively, and build in backup options.

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

Regions covered