Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

While you probably won’t be able to trigger an avalanche on Sunday, blocks of snow may continue to shed from rocks or cornices. Even though these slides should be rare, you don’t want to be underneath if they happen. Pay attention to what’s above you and don’t dilly dally below overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    This isn’t your classic wet loose issue. Instead of being worried about causing an avalanche, we’re more worried about snow randomly falling down. These slides should be fairly few and far between. While not particularly scary, it’s also not generally safe. 

    Shed-o-lanches take lots of forms: glides, cornice chunks, blobs of snow, and wet loose slides. Generally, they originate from rocky faces, cornices, or very steep slopes. Since you won’t be able to easily assess or predict this hazard it’s just about avoidance. Don’t hangout under these types of features. 

    While you could see snow fall down at any elevation, the most likely location will be right in the middle where it’s still relatively warm and the snowpack isn’t as beat up as lower elevations. 

    (3/1/2025)

    A small glide crack, roller balls, and small blobs around rocks near Paradise. Mt Rainier. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: On Friday, February 28, three snowmobilers were riding near Harts Pass in the East North zone when they triggered a large slab avalanche. Two riders were caught and carried. One rider was fully buried and killed. The other was partially buried and injured. NWAC is working with local avalanche professionals to conduct an investigation. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community. (NE, 6,800ft HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O)

After 4 days of warm, sunny, spring-like weather we’re in for a shift. A very weak “storm” will bring cloudy skies, cooler temperatures, and even a bit of precipitation. Just because it’s not hot, don’t expect all these wet avalanche concerns to stop on a dime. It will take a bit for the water to work through the snowpack and the wet snow to lock up. 

A crust on the surface should limit the chance for human triggered wet loose slides. How thick and strong this crust becomes will probably hinge on cloud cover Saturday night. Less clouds equals better cooling and a stronger crust. If the clouds roll in and thicken early, it could result in a weaker breakable crust. 

This system won’t bring much new snow to the West South zone. Mt Rainier and Mt Saint Helens could prick up an inch or two by the end of the day. Even if the wind drifts the new snow into slab, it probably won’t be much larger than a dining room table and should pose much risk. If more snow falls than expected (which could happen), watch for isolated wind slabs along exposed ridges at upper elevations. At lower elevations instead of snow it will rain. However, a little rain on already wet snow shouldn’t pose much risk. 

If you’re looking for cold, dry snow you may still find it on shaded slopes at higher elevations. Even though there are signs of wind transport, no wind slabs have been found.

Regions covered