Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Storm totals and avalanche hazard will remain highest on the volcanoes, where significant precipitation is expected to continue. Throughout the zone, rising freezing levels will dictate that you manage both wet and dry avalanche problems on Sunday. Early-season conditions are widespread and will only worsen in the coming days

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Another pulse of precipitation and wind will again focus on the volcanoes on Sunday. Expect dangerous avalanche conditions as you ascend to a more winterlike landscape. Rising temperatures on Sunday could mean the upper snowpack is "upside-down", creating a true storm slab problem. Use quick hand pits, small test slopes, and your red-flag signs of instability to help identify avalanche potential. 

    In areas receiving less snowfall, sensitive wind slabs may be more of an issue than storm slabs. Regardless of the problem type, early season slides often trigger in shallow areas of the snowpack, near rocky features, or in leeward terrain.

    (12/6/2025)

    Example: A skier triggered slab avalanche involving most of the recent storm snow. Although this occurred in a different zone, similar avalanches could occur in the West South on Sunday.

    [6700ft, NW. SS-AS-D1.5-I]

    Photo: Will Govus

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rising temperatures throughout the day on Sunday mean that the rain line will start creeping up the mountainside. At some point, it should reach an elevation where it was previously snowing. That's where you need to look out for new Wet Loose slides. 

    Wet Loose avalanches often start at a point, such as near rocks, and then fan out as they descend. These slides will become a greater focus as we head into Monday, with the freezing level continuing to climb. For now, if you see rain falling on dry snow or see new fan-shaped avalanche debris, head for lower-angle terrain.

    (12/6/2025)

    This natural point release (loose wet) avalanche wasn't very big, but it traveled nearly 400ft down the slope. It failed during a rain on snow event. (Silver Basin, 6600ft, east aspect, WL-N-D1-R1)

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

We're in the midst of a multi-day storm cycle that is playing out differently across the zone. Paradise and Mount St. Helens have both received over 4 inches of water since Thursday, while areas closer to the crest are hovering around 1.5 inches. This general pattern should continue on Sunday and again into Monday as temperatures rise and snowfall is slowly replaced by rain. 

What holds throughout the zone is that you will find more winter-like conditions and increased avalanche potential as you ascend in elevation. Additionally, early-season hazards such as rocks and stumps, creeks, and bushes are prevalent. Some of these may be easy to spot, while others are hiding just below the new snow. In many areas, there is insufficient snow coverage at lower elevations to contain avalanche hazard, while the volcanoes are still holding on with enough coverage for now.

An atmospheric river on Sunday night and Monday is set to almost double the amount of water we have received since Thursday, with freezing levels at or above ridgetop in many locations. Make sure your travel plans account for the volatile weather and early-season conditions. Have a safe exit plan and give yourself plenty of extra time to make it home before the weather gets really nasty Sunday night.

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