Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

This ongoing spring-like weather has produced generally safe avalanche conditions across the West South zone. Frozen snow in the morning should nearly eliminate the possibility of avalanches. However, by mid-afternoon, you may trigger small loose wet slides on very steep rocky slopes that receive direct sunshine.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Loose wet avalanches will only be a concern in a few specific areas on Monday. A solid overnight freeze will prevent any possibility for these slides until the sun begins to significantly soften the snow. This will be most likely on very steep and rocky slopes sitting in the sunshine. Take time to look at how much the surface has softened by using your boot. When you step and sink in past your ankle (4 inches), anticipate loose wet avalanches. These slides should remain small and relatively harmless unless they push you over a cliff or into a deep gully.

    (1/23/2022)

    Example: Rollerballs and a small loose wet avalanche on a steep rocky and sunny slope.  S aspect. 5300'. LW-N-D1-R1-S

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

We’re now nearly two weeks into a long period of warm weather that began back on January 11th. The snowpack has seen near-constant above freezing temperatures, periods of rain, and at least two wet avalanche cycles. This produced a very spring-like and generally strong snowpack that is helping us weather this unseasonably hot period without more significant avalanche concerns. A very thick and stout crust at the surface did soften by mid-day in most areas.  At Paradise, an NWAC forecaster found 1-2” of soft spring-like snow by early afternoon. On more shaded slopes, the snowpack did not soften and remained very icy. 

A solid freeze Sunday night will again produce challenging travel including very icy slopes by Monday morning. Make sure you have the tools and skills you need to navigate around these potentially dangerous travel conditions. 

With the ongoing heat, the potential for snow to “fall off” of the mountains grows. This would most likely come in the form of an isolated glide avalanche or cornice fall. Even in this period of low danger, pay attention to the slopes above you and don’t linger under looming cornices or crevasse-like glide cracks. An observation from Mt St Helens on Saturday highlights this potential in some areas. 

Regions covered