Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Record amounts of rain have soaked the snowpack and elevated the chance of wet avalanches in steep terrain. Wet activity is most likely at mid and upper elevations, where snow depth is more continuous. Start with low-angle terrain and gather observations before committing to anything steeper.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Continued rain and warm temperatures have affected the snowpack at all elevations. The snowpack’s response to the extreme rainfall is a bit uncertain, but all types of wet avalanches remain possible, including loose, wet, and even glide avalanches. Triggering may become less likely as precipitation slows, but steep slopes and wet snow on rocks can still release. Be mindful of terrain above and around you, and limit your time on steep or rocky slopes. Any wet avalanche that does release has the potential to bury or kill.

    (12/6/2025)

    A small wet point-release from last weekend. While small, these avalanches can still run long and entrain significant snow.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Historic rainfall has inundated the West South zone across all elevation bands. The Paradise weather station (~5,400 ft) has recorded 12+ inches of water since Monday morning. With this level of rain-on-snow, there is uncertainty about how the snowpack will react. With unusual conditions like this, take your time and maintain a healthy level of skepticism around avalanche-prone terrain.

Keep in mind, road and trailhead access may have changed due to flooding. Lower and mid-elevation slopes have also likely lost significant snow depth.

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