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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Highlights

You can trigger slab avalanches ranging from 6 inches to several feet deep on Friday. The added weight of a human could cause an avalanche on slopes that did not slide during this past week’s major storm event. Tread carefully on slopes greater than 35 degrees, starting with identifying wind loaded slopes and avoiding them.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Traveling onto the wrong steep slope could have fatal results despite decreasing chances of triggering an avalanche. Early Wednesday morning  an unrelenting 8 day storm concluded, with large avalanches reported during many of those days. Natural avalanches are no longer expected, but likelihood of you triggering an avalanche is still possible. Slopes similar to ones that slid but have not yet slid continue to warrant concern with the added weight of a person. You will find the most reactive snow on wind loaded slopes, where avalanches could break in early storm layers, possibly up to several feet deep. You could also trigger shallower avalanches on non-wind loaded slopes that are still large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. 

    Uncertainty remains on how widespread this avalanche problem is, and how reactive specific slopes are. Assess the local snowpack if you choose to tackle steeper terrain, including digging at least a meter down in the snow to identify weak layers using stability tests. Venture onto smaller slopes before committing to larger ones.  Look and feel for stiffer wind affected snow and check constantly for instabilities in the top foot or two of snow with hand pits before heading out to steeper slopes.

    A natural slab avalanche from Jan 5-6 above Pocket Lake near Park Butte/Schreibers. Photo Jeremy Malsam

Avalanche Discussion

The avalanche cycle Tuesday night into Wednesday morning caused natural avalanches failing 6-12 inches deep within recent storm snow. Some very large (D3) avalanches also failed several feet deeper in the new snow (we had 12 inches of water in that period). Mt Baker Ski Patrol tested the Shuksan Arm with explosives on Thursday out of concern for large avalanches running into the ski area boundary. Several shots yielded no results, except one which triggered a very large avalanche with a 6-10ft crown. Right now that could mean a snowmachine is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Do not rule triggering an avalanche out if you are simply human powered on this beautiful weekend day: it is getting harder to cause an avalanche, but results are  deadly if you do hit the right spot. 

Increasing temperatures midday onwards could cause small wet loose avalanches to run, especially on steep sunny slopes. Keep an eye out for them if you're on sunny slopes as the snow gets wet, and retreat to shady slopes when snow begins to come down.

Natural hazards are becoming more pronounced. Do not travel near the edge of cornices, as they tend to break further back than expected. Tree well and deep snow immersion are a very real problem in the area. Learn more about deep snow immersions HERE.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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