Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It’s Christmas Day, but you can still trigger wind slab avalanches. Look and feel for stiffer deposits of snow on lee features, in gullies and around rocky outcroppings. Investigate their presence on slopes steeper than 35 degrees before committing to that terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small wind slab avalanches were triggered in the Coleman Pinnacle area on Thursday. You can find the observation here. The reported avalanches were small, but larger ones are not out of the question. On Friday expect to see redistributed snow with bare patches stripped back to the 12/21 crust and pockets loaded up to a foot or more. Stiffer or hollow feeling snow is a good indicator of wind loaded deposits. As you increase in elevation you will notice more of them. Avoid the loading in steep terrain where reactivity is uncertain. Not enough snow is forecasted to raise the avalanche danger on Friday, but watch out because the new snow may hide wind slabs and slippery patches under a fresh coat of snow.

    A small wind slab avalanche on a lee N aspect remotely triggered near the Coleman Pinnacle on Thursday. Photo: Peter Sundberg

Avalanche Discussion

Several days have passed since the significant storm cycle that stressed the snowpack and caused very large avalanches in parts of the zone.  As more observations have come in, we can turn our attention away from the 12/9 crust/weak layer interface to new snow avalanche concerns above the 12/21 crust. 

As the holiday season is upon us, may you find the time to get out and enjoy the snow and fresh air.  Have a merry Christmas!

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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