Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large and dangerous slab avalanche can still occur on Sunday. Some areas are stabilizing quickly, but check the top couple feet of snow to determine whether there are any reactive layers before exposing yourself to large slopes. Start out on small test slopes, and stick to terrain less than 35 degrees until you determine that the upper snowpack does not harbor dangerous weak layers which could bury you in an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A small natural slab avalanche occurred on Friday in the Baker backcountry (see adjacent photo). Several very large avalanches hit Highway 20 on Thursday. A couple very large wind slab avalanches were spotted in the last few days. Check out the media strip to see photos of all these avalanches. Occurrences have been inconsistent, yet we’ve just come out of an unusual storm cycle and you can still trigger a dangerous slab avalanche that could bury, injure or kill you. 

    There are a number of interfaces which slab avalanches could fail on, such as sun crusts on steep southerly slopes, or graupel reported in some areas. You may find some avalanches failing in snow that more closely resembles storm slabs. Slabs  could be 6 inches to several feet thick. Previously, strong winds redistributed snow into touchy slabs. These will most likely fail in gullies, beneath rock bands, below cornices (which are getting very large) and under ridgelines. Your added weight makes an avalanche occurring on these steep slopes likely. Search for pillow-like drifted snow deposits and feel for stiffer snow as you travel, and avoid these areas on steep slopes. Dig down a couple feet and investigate whether any layers fail easily.  Start in lower angle terrain and small test slopes before exposing yourself to steeper areas.

    (2/27/2021) A slab avalanche which probably failed naturally on 2/26. Blueberry Chute, D1, 1ft failure depth, north facing. The tracks are from 2/27. Photo: Adam U

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Up to four inches of snow could fall overnight, and it will not increase the avalanche danger much, but keep and eye out for small loose snow avalanches which could occur in steep sheltered areas. These are most likely dry, however warmer temperatures in the afternoon might moisten snow at the lowest elevations. Avoid travelling in areas where terrain traps such as cliffs, thick trees or gullies are present if you think you may encounter one of these avalanches.

    (1/29/2021) Small dry point releases in steep terrain on Mt. Herman. Photo: Simon Trautman

Avalanche Discussion

Currently there is a lot of varying information in the West North zone. The large avalanche cycle just occurred along Highway 20, and a few very large avalanches were spotted in recent days.  In some areas snow appears to be stabilizing very quickly.  Make sure to do your homework with properly investigating a slope before jumping onto something steep. As we’ve just received a lot of snow and wind, continue to exercise caution- it’s not open season yet! 

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.

Regions covered