Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Moderate avalanche danger means it's possible for you to still be surprised by slab avalanches in the new snow layer, possibly a foot or more thick, near and above treeline. Start on small slopes and stick with simpler terrain, avoiding large slopes, especially if they are unsupported, have sparse trees, or abruptly flatten at the bottom. We may see enough sun that wet loose avalanches could run on steep slopes on the southerly half of the compass as the day warms up. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    We received a wide array of reports about avalanche conditions from Saturday. We heard about nearly all the new snow avalanche problems in some locations but quieter conditions on the avalanche front in others. We expect a slow and steady improvement in stability looking into Sunday, but especially in steep, high-consequence terrain it's possible that you could still trigger an avalanche which could take you for a scary ride. 

    Start on small slopes and investigate the bonding in the new snow layers above the crust before traveling into larger terrain. Some upper elevation areas may be slightly wind-affected, and slopes could be more reactive.  Most areas appeared to have very little wind-affect on Saturday and forecasts are showing minimal additional wind through Sunday.  

    Large, unsupported slopes, or ones with gullies, sparse trees, or rocks,  could make even a small ride very dangerous. Avoid these locations on slopes steeper than 35° on Sunday, or any other steep slopes where you identify any signs of weakness or have any doubt. 

    (3/25/2023)

    A small human triggered soft slab avalanche in the Baker backcountry which ran just a little above the crust. North facing, 5100ft. 

    Photo: Jason Speer

  • Loose Wet

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

    The sun could poke out for a little while on Sunday, and this time of year it doesn't take much for wet loose avalanches to start running. Pay attention to sky cover and maintain awareness of snow surfaces beneath you. If snow starts getting sticky and moist, and if you notice rollerballs running from steep slopes, wet loose avalanches could follow.

    Tree bombs or cliffy areas are where you're most likely to see them for starters. This may happen on all aspects at lower elevations, but probably just the southern half of the compass higher up if we do see a bit more sun. Avoid steep slopes in areas where you encounter moist snow and start getting an abundance of rollerballs. 

    (3/25/2023)

    Despite lacking full sun and temperatures reaching not quite to freezing, snow was heavy at lower elevations and southerly slopes. A few rollerballs ran. Expect more of this activity on Sunday.

    Photo: Robert Hahn

Avalanche Discussion

In most lower elevation areas and the southerly half of the compass a crust from high pressure earlier in the week exists, and new slabs could easily slide on it. Snow could also slide on shallower layers within the new snow. On upper elevation direct northerly slopes a weak layer formed during the high pressure, beneath the new snow layer. This is buried about 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep, and is probably the only area you won't find an obvious crust beneath the new snow. Slab avalanches could be more reactive in these locations. 

In the last week, we saw intense springlike high pressure with warm weather for the first time this year, and several days of wet loose avalanches limited to the southern half of the compass. An occasional glide avalanche occurred as well.  On Friday we switched back to winter and we began getting cold dry snow, which we've seen 1 1/2 to 2 feet of since then.  We've entered a lull for the next couple days. On south-facing slopes this snow is settling quickly and has already gotten a bit "manky". North-facing terrain should hold onto the powder for a few more days. 

As just discussed, spring is upon us. Glide cracks are large and someone fell into a sneakily hidden one last week. Beware of their presence, and also the existence of huge cornices that are ready to calve off as they are unable to hold all the weight any longer. 

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