Avalanche forecast

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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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

A few inches of new snow and wind on Christmas Day may obscure recent wind loading patterns following Wednesday's windy storm.  Be prepared to make your own assessment before committing to more consequential terrain, using small test slopes and gathering information as you change elevation and aspect. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wednesday's windy storm likely redistributed snow, both new and recent, at upper and mid-elevations.  Light snow and moderate winds on Christmas Day may partially obscure recent wind-loading patterns.   

    If you see shooting cracks in wind-stiffened snow or see signs of recent avalanches, give steep wind-loaded terrain another day to stabilize.  If recently formed wind slabs are on the firmer vs softer side, you're less likely to receive red flag information to inform your terrain selection.  Use caution in and near wind-loaded terrain on Thursday. 

    (12/23/2025)

    You're likely to find wind-textured snow (like in this photo) further downslope vs just near ridgelines on Thursday.    

    Photo: Drew Lovell

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday's storm brought wind and produced about 0.50" WE from Rainy Pass and eastwards to Mazama, with Mazama recording 6" of heavy snow.  Mountain weather stations generally saw their total snow readings tick downwards despite the new snow as the overall snowpack settlement continued (see Drew's ob for more detail).  We don't know how Wednesday's strong winds distributed snow across the range, but winds were forecast to decrease on Wednesday night as temperatures cooled.   Previously wet snow surfaces at lower elevations should refreeze Wednesday night and form a new crust, reducing the concern for wet loose avalanches on Thursday. 

Backcountry travelers noted plenty of wind-affected snow in the Upper Chewuch and Twisp River drainages on Tuesday, with a few small natural wind slab avalanches below ridgelines that likely occurred Monday night.  While no avalanches were reported, travelers in the Harts Pass area reported whumpfing collapses on Friday. 

Following severe weather earlier in the month, access to Washington Pass and Highway 20 west of Early Winters is currently closed due to mudslides and road crews working in the area. With limited access to the mountains, we have less information about the snowpack than usual.  Observers have reported storm interfaces and older crusts from mid-December in the upper snowpack. Generally, the bonds at these interfaces have been favorable based on limited information.  Travel with extra safety margins, make your own observations, and ease into new terrain slowly to account for the uncertainty. Make frequent observations using quick hand-pit tests and take extra time to assess before entering larger terrain.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at NWAC!  We wish you a snowy and safe rest of winter.

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

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