Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Choose lower-angle terrain to steer clear of steep slopes with recent wind loading. Watch for rounded, pillowy drifts and patches of stiffer snow. Deep, unconsolidated snow and thinly covered hazards increase the risk of collisions and immersion accidents.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds and snowfall late in the evening should taper by morning, but still leave pesky wind slabs in their wake. They should be most reactive first thing in the morning and slowly gain strength through the day. Wind slabs are commonly found on the leeward side of ridgelines, below cornices, and along gully walls. 

    Use visual clues like rippled snow, cornices, and scoured surfaces to identify wind-loaded terrain. Stiffer snow is also a sign wind slabs could lurk nearby. Small test slopes and quick hand pits can help gauge how well new slabs are bonding before committing to bigger terrain.

    (12/8/2023)

    Snow blown out of the windward side of trees and sharp drifts are great ways to anticipate wind-loaded slopes. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Observers in the West North found reactive but generally small wind slabs on Monday. While many steep, wind-loaded slopes produced slabs or shooting cracks, no slab avalanches and minimal sluffing were reported in wind-sheltered terrain. A handful of large, partly filled-in crowns were observed on the north side of Table Mountain. While the exact time of occurrence is unknown, they appeared to be a day or two old. No avalanches or other notable signs of instability were reported from Stevens Pass, aside from some small loose-dry avalanches initiating in cliffy terrain and minor wind transport.

The 3–5 feet of snow that has fallen since Thursday night is beginning to settle into a single, mostly uniform layer over the December 18 crust. Aside from test slopes and pits in wind-loaded terrain, snowpack testing only produced resistant results at the old–new snow interface found about 18 inches from the surface. 

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

Regions covered