Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is generally Low, but expect small wind slabs to develop in steep and exposed areas in alpine terrain. Most surfaces are a mix between supportable sun crusts and heavily wind affected snow. Expect increasing danger as a winter storm affects the area Friday night into Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Increasing winds and snowfall during the day should begin to create small, scattered wind slabs. You could trigger a small slab, but you could also travel on most terrain safely. Slabs could grow in size, sensitivity and distribution by the evening as a cold front makes its way in. Especially look for small slabs to develop in alpine terrain, on steep slopes below cornices, and near rocks and cliffs.

    Look and feel for hollow-sounding snow, textured surfaces, and drifts. When in doubt or if observing active wind transport, travel around these features. Cornices are large, and warrant plenty of respect and distance themselves.

    Example cross loaded gully above a snowmobile road.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Expect a transitional day on Friday as a front makes its way into the area by evening. Willie snowmobiled up to Harts Pass on Thursday, finding some large debris piles to cross over on the way. The road was melting out quickly near Deadhorse Pt. He found a mix of sun crusts on the surface, though higher elevations looked to hold a cold, layered snowpack. Observations from Washington Pass are minimal with the spring plowing operations underway.

Assess conditions as you travel using quick hand pits and test slopes to observe how new snow reacts. Recent reports are that southern aspects have supportable crusts, with only due north slopes holding onto cold, dry powder. However, the winds have also likely damaged snow surfaces, so expect to find plentiful wind-affect and scoured slopes throughout the terrain. 

Regions covered