Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger will slowly rise throughout the day as snow builds up and wind speeds increase. Older, more stubborn wind slabs that may be more difficult to trigger earlier in the day will probably be replaced by more reactive, newer but shallower drifts. When you notice wind speeds pick up, new wind slabs forming, and find any signs of instability like long shooting cracks, shift your travel to lower angle terrain, avoiding steep, wind-loaded areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    An incremental few inches of snow here and there have kept continuous subtle wind slab development happening at upper elevations. You'll still be able to find these slabs, especially as you make your way above treeline. These concerns should be enough to keep you on your toes and not blindly jumping onto steep, wind-drifted slopes, as it's possible that they could avalanche in new snow layers. This could mean failures happening a couple inches deep, or possibly a foot or more, depending on the layers the wind deposited on the slope.

    The day may start with Moderate danger, but with more snow and afternoon wind the danger could increase to Considerable, where human-triggered avalanches are likely. When you notice wind moving snow around and actively drifting it, it's time to take a step back and reevaluate. Steer around wind-loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees, and avoid traveling on steep slopes if you cause long, shooting cracks or see recent avalanches. 

    A small human triggered wind slab avalanche, like one you might be able to trigger Monday afternoon. 

    Photo: Public Observation

Avalanche Discussion

Starting Sunday afternoon, we're in for continuous snowfall through midweek, although the tap isn't going to really turn on until Monday night when we see snow really starting to stack up quickly. Avalanche danger will rapidly increase as this storm turns on Monday night. 

In the last few days snow surfaces moistened at about 4500ft and lower. We expect a slight cooling of temperatures into Monday, with less wet loose activity and rollerballs. Keep in mind surfaces may be variable where moistening previously happened. Otherwise, many near and above treeline locations and ridgelines likely have firm surfaces, whereas other more sheltered areas may have lower density pockets of snow. 

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