Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Anticipate a big change as sunny weather gives way to a series of storms. Avoid steep slopes where you identify recent wind drifting.  Lack of snow and challenging travel still present a significant hazard. Expect increased danger in the southern half of West Central where snowfall is forecast to continue through the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    While fresh snow will create the potential for increased avalanche danger, wind should be the factor that determines the size and likelihood of the most consequential avalanches you encounter. Blowing or drifting snow, scoured snow surfaces on windward slopes, and stiffer, pillowy-looking drifts are all signs that wind slabs lurk nearby. Look for and simply avoid steep terrain where you see signs of active wind or recent wind loading.

    You might also find unstable snow in wind-sheltered terrain, especially in areas that receive about 1’ or more of new snow or during periods of heavy snowfall. The old surface of crust, firm wind slab, or weak snow should have a poor bond with the cold and dry new snow above. Any avalanche you trigger may travel farther than expected. With continued thin snowpack conditions, avalanche risk will depend as much on the terrain in the runout as the size of the actual avalanche. 

    An example of early-season wind loading. Ground cover is visible in scoured areas while thick slabs form from wind loading.

Avalanche Discussion

Welcome to the 2023-2024 season! The much-anticipated change in the weather is here with the first traces of precipitation showing at some weather stations this afternoon. 

Lower elevations hold little to no snow. Travel at mid-elevations is still quite challenging given the thin snowpack. There is 1’-2’ of snow at mid-elevations with the current surface varying between crust, stiff, unreactive wind slab, and soft snow in shaded and sheltered terrain. 

The long stretch of sunny days and clear nights initiated the formation of both facets and surface hoar. Well-developed layers of weak snow have not been widely observed, but avalanche forecast and snowpack uncertainty are higher than usual given limited observations at the start of the season. Take your time moving into more open terrain and don't ignore obvious signs of instability like whumphing or shooting cracks.

Reported avalanche activity in the last week was limited to small wet avalanches on solar aspects. Observers agreed that the greatest hazard was the meager snowpack. New snow will barely hide some early-season hazards that were clearly visible in recent weeks.

Regions covered