Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You’re most likely to trigger an avalanche on steep slopes holding recently wind-drifted snow. Check how well the new snow is bonding before committing to steep terrain, and use lower-angle slopes to reduce uncertainty.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate overnight winds will drift the light snow at the surface. Add another 1–3” of light new snow, and fresh wind slabs are likely to form on leeward slopes. Most should be small, but they may be hard to spot if covered by a few inches of softer snow. 

    Use scoured slopes, cornices, and drifts to figure out where a wind slab might be hiding. Stomp on small cornices and wind-drifted features to test reactivity. Hand shears can also help assess the bond of fresh wind slabs. Choosing slightly lower-angle, more planar terrain is an easy way to reduce your chances of triggering one.

    (3/17/2023)

    Wind scoured snow can help you identify slopes that might hold wind slab.

Avalanche Discussion

Look for rollerballs and wet snow on steep slopes receiving direct sun. Temperatures will be chilly, but a bit of warming combined with recent new snow could still produce small wet loose avalanches.

Observers in West North reported gusty winds drifting snow and filling in skin tracks above 5,000 feet. No fresh wind slabs were noted at mid elevations. The most notable observation was another skier-triggered slab on a very steep, unsupported mid-slope feature on the east aspect of Table Mountain. Several human-triggered slab avalanches were reported in this area over the weekend.

Overall, Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass have seen less snow and less avalanche activity over the past few days. Both zones picked up about 6 inches of new snow during the Valentine’s Day storm and saw a handful of avalanches over the weekend.

  

 

Regions covered