Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Sunshine will cause the snow to change quickly on southerly aspects and could result in wet avalanches. You may trigger these slides on steep sunny slopes or they could release naturally from rocks and cliffs.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The recent snow will see significant sunshine for the first time on Tuesday. It probably won’t take long for these slopes to respond to this big change. This problem comes in two forms. 

    As the snow gets wet and sticky, you may trigger an avalanche on steep sunny slopes. If you’re feeling the sun, odds are, so is the snowpack. These slides should be relatively easy to anticipate. Where there’s not much recent snow (<6 inches), they’ll probably stay relatively small. But in places where storm totals were higher, like upper elevations, they could grow large and unmanageable.

    Simultaneously, sunny rocky slopes could shed the recent snow naturally. This may result in piles of new rollerballs and even a few sizable avalanches. Fortunately, these slides should be isolated to craggy terrain.In both cases, as you notice the snow starting to warm up, seek out lower angled or more shaded terrain to avoid this problem.

    (2/4/2026)

    Example: Wet loose slides releasing off rocky faces. 

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windy conditions on Monday formed a few newer slabs across the zone. A group traveling near Paradise on Mt Rainier triggered one such pocket. Look for rime, drifts behind rocks, and sharp cornices all pointing toward potentially wind loaded slopes. 

    Wind slabs are often tricky to assess. Firm slabs may not crack or fail on small test slopes, but could still produce avalanches. Look for scoured areas or lower angled terrain to bypass wind loaded areas.

    Travelers triggered this wind slabs on Monday near Paradise on Mt Rainier. (2/9/2026) Photo: Northwest Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The sky and wind will both play a big role in how avalanche conditions manifest across the zone on Tuesday. Clouds could increase in the afternoon. If they come in early enough and thick enough, they cloud put a stop to the sun’s influence on the surface and curtail the wet loose problem. Similarly, increasing winds will try to keep surfaces cooler and drier. This will be more likely near Crystal and White Pass. Further west, near Mt Rainier and Mt Saint Helens, the winds will probably be warmer and less impactful. 

Compared to many other zones, the West South fared well through these last storms. Precipitation totals as of Monday afternoon range from 0.8-1.4 inches, with middle elevation snowfall measuring 6-12 inches. Much less snow accumulated at lower elevations. We’re only really concerned with the recent snow over the 2/7 crust. It’s hard to say how firm (or not) this old surface has become. Avalanches could run easily on it in locations where it’s hard and icy. 

The recent snow certainly helped travel conditions. However, coverage remains much thinner than normal. Expect travel to take longer as you navigate creeks, holes, rocks, and other exposed obstacles.

Regions covered