Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could find wet or dry avalanche problems depending on new snow amounts and warming. Track changing conditions as it warms up through the day. Check the bond of new snow layers before venturing onto steeper slopes. Limit your exposure to avalanche terrain where you witness fresh rollerballs or other signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    You could find anywhere between a few inches to foot of new snow depending on elevation and location in the forecast zone. This snow is falling on a cooling trend and winds are forecast to decrease, so it should be right-side-up. On the other hand, new slabs could have a poor bond to the crust below, or become more reactive with warming.

    If you find about 6" or more of new snow, then slab avalanches could be an issue. As usual, there will be more new snow in wind loaded terrain. Track new snow depth as you gain elevation or change aspects. This should be easy to do with a crust below the new snow. Simple tests can help you gauge stability.

    (3/16/2025)

    Slabs of new snow can be more reactive as it warms, or be triggered by loose snow falling from cliffs above. 

    Photo: Jason Speer

  • Loose Wet

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

    The new snow could also produce loose snow avalanches when warmed by air temperature, direct sun, or greenhousing. Avoid travel on or directly below steep slopes where you see fresh rollerballs or small avalanches. The biggest risk might be in upper elevation areas where there is the most new snow. Low elevation areas should pick up minimal new snow and are less likely to have this problem, but also already have plenty of wet snow.

    Don’t linger directly under cornices, snowy cliffs, or glide cracks lurking in the terrain above you. The likelihood of seeing additional wet avalanche activity or cornice falls is quite low, but it’s not totally out of the question.

    (12/4/2024)

    Look out for wet avalanches that start in steep and rocky terrain, especially if the sun comes out or you experience greenhouse conditions.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations continue to be on the lean side with unsavory riding conditions for most of the last week. About 4” of moist new snow was reported from 5000’ by Friday afternoon in the Baker Backcountry. The new snow was observed to have a poor bond to the old snow surface and small wet loose avalanches were easy to trigger. No observations came in from upper elevation areas.

By Saturday morning, precipitation totals in West North will vary from 0.5” to 1.25” or more, depending on your location in the forecast zone. Expect more snow in areas around Baker Lake and upper Hwy 542/Baker Backcountry. Elevation will be the other variable, with new snow amounts quickly increasing as you climb higher. 

Regions covered