Avalanche forecast

East Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

With light rain to around 4,500ft, stay alert to signs of loose wet avalanches such as rollerballs or wet, sticky snow. Be ready to move off of steeper or consequential slopes if this happens. Steer around areas with large cornices. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Small loose wet avalanches could occur with warm temperatures and light rain on Thursday. The rain could moisten previously dry surfaces above 4,000ft and create conditions where you could trigger these avalanches. Northwest to northeast aspects are the most likely places this could happen. If you find yourself sinking into wet snow deeper than about your ankle or if it begins to rain more heavily, it's time to move off steeper slopes. Fresh rollerballs are also signs that loose wet avalanches could be triggered.

    Example: Rollerballs like this are a great sign that the snow surface has become wet and unstable. Photo: Robin Pendry

Avalanche Discussion

Current snow surfaces are mixed and variable. Expect to find crust on East, South, and West aspects, and weakened snow surfaces on northerly aspects. Here you may find settled powder, slippery near-surface facets, or firm wind stiffened surfaces. The snowpack is generally strong and deep, without notable layers of concern.

Stay alert to wind affected surfaces at upper elevation. There may be just enough loose snow to blow around that you could find some shallow wind slabs above treeline. You can always use small test slopes to check how shallow instabilities such as these are bonding. Steer around consequential terrain if you find reactive wind slabs or more new snow.

Recent observations note large to very large cornice collapses in the Highway 20 area. Attempt to make any up tracks well out of the path of any potential cornice falls. While on ridgelines give cornices a wide margin, as they can break back further than you might expect.  

Regions covered