Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Use normal caution in the backcountry - carry rescue gear, travel one at a time through avalanche terrain, and watch for signs of instability.Above-freezing temperatures could still produce a small avalanche or two in steep, rocky terrain. Watch out for pockets of wind-drifted snow on exposed slopes if heading up into the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Above-freezing temperatures will continue through Monday. Also, thick cloud cover overnight should prevent the kind of shallow refreeze reported over the weekend. With additional melting, you could see cliffs and snow-covered rock slabs shed snow at mid and lower elevations. Look for and stay out from under glide cracks or snow clinging onto exposed rock slabs. Steep, cliffy terrain with running water around or under the snowpack should also be considered suspect. 

    (12/16/2023)

    A natural glide avalanche on Herman occurred midday Saturday. The cracks on either side of the avalanche bed surface indicate more portions of the slab could also slide off the rock below.

    ENE aspect at 4700' (WS-N-D1.5-G).

    Photo: Pete Durr - USFS

Avalanche Discussion

No new wet loose or glide avalanches were reported on Monday. A late-morning shot of strong sun and rising temperatures softened the snow surface on all aspects up to 5000’. But moderate winds kept mid and upper elevation ridgelines and start zones cool. This prevented significant warming and avalanche activity. Thickening clouds ended the warming cycle by midday.

The current snowpack consists of alternating crust and rounded grain layers. This structure shows the hard swings between dry snow, rain events, and high pressure we've seen since November. 

There are still plenty of open creeks, exposed or partially buried rocks, stumps, and old, chunky avalanche debris. Stay vigilant to early season hazards.

Regions covered