Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in the new snow as slabs build throughout the day.  Strong winds will redistribute the snow into deposits that will likely avalanche with the added weight of a person. Avoid wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees as the snow settles. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Numerous skier triggered wind slab avalanches occurred on Christmas Eve which you can read about here and here.  The avalanche danger will increase Friday night through Saturday as the forecast calls for more than a foot of snow and strong winds. Intense blowing snow will deposit into thick reactive slabs on lee slopes, convexities, in gullies, and around rocky outcroppings.  Failures could step down into the older wind slabs which were reactive on 12/24, producing larger results. Beneath that layer lies the slick 12/21 crust, a good sliding surface for avalanches. Keep off wind loaded slopes greater than 35 degrees until the storm passes.

    A fresh wind slab avalanche on a lee slope from 12/22

Avalanche Discussion

Strong winds on Saturday will make travel and visibility difficult.  Expect variable snow surfaces, with thick heavy deposits in some areas and exposed icy patches of the 12/21 crust in others.

Several days have passed since the significant storm cycle that stressed the snowpack and caused very large avalanches in parts of the zone.  As more observations have come in, we can turn our attention away from the 12/9 crust/weak layer interface to new snow avalanche concerns above the 12/21 crust. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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