Avalanche forecast

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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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger small avalanches where wind and snow form shallow drifts at upper elevation. These avalanches could be possible in the west end of the zone, near Washington Pass, while conditions may be less dangerous elsewhere. A storm could bring enough wind and snow Thursday night into Friday for an increase in avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Steer around fresh drifts on leeward sides of ridges at upper elevations. Any wind slabs should be limited to small pockets within the terrain. Expect these avalanches near Washington Pass if you find fresh drifts at least 6 inches deep or recent snowfall of at least 4 inches in wind-sheltered areas. Use extra caution on steep northerly aspects, especially above 6,000ft, where snow could slide easily on the interface of new and old snow . Further east and at lower elevations, you may find less elevated conditions. Continue to stay aware of overhead or nearby cornices.

    (3/8/2021) An example of blowing snow forming wind slabs in the Hairpin Valley near Washington Pass.

Avalanche Discussion

A weak, stormy weather pattern may bring a change in avalanche conditions into the weekend. There's uncertainty around how much snow will accumulate. Make your own observations of how much new snow adds up and of any blowing snow. If enough snow falls before the sun comes out, you may encounter loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes.

This week, warming and sun formed crusts on the surface of most slopes to about 6,500ft. Steeper north aspects and those at upper elevations may have still held weak snow on the surface that will now make up the new-old interface.  Since the beginning of March, the region has undergone a slow warming trend. Observers have reported loose avalanches (both wet and dry) and falling cornices. Cornices are very large and still loom on many ridges.  Most of the observations of cornice fall came early in the month, but we continue to receive occasional reports. Continue to keep this hazard in mind. The mid-January weak layer that plagued most of the Cascades for the month of February was much less of a factor near Washington Pass.

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