Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A few inches of snow above 4500 feet will help pad the old crust surface Tuesday. You could encounter very small wind drifted deposits of snow at upper elevations, and lower elevations could see small wet avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    There’s a small chance that enough snow and wind will form shallow slabs and possibly react to a human trigger. If any occur, they will probably remain less than 6 inches deep. Search for them on steep, leeward slops, on the sides of gullies, and around rocky outcroppings. Any avalanches probably wouldn’t be large enough to cause you harm, but pay attention if there are terrain traps below you where the situation might end differently. Additionally, if snow slides, it will probably run easily on the smooth, firm underlying surface and then you’ll be left with a more challenging, firm surface to travel over.

    Small, soft shallow wind slabs avalanches like this might be triggered by a human on Tuesday. Photo: Bennett Melville

Avalanche Discussion

Although unlikely, a few other avalanche problems remain on the radar. Small wet loose avalanches may still occur at lower elevations, especially if you’re in an area where the snowpack is punchy and unsupportable. They may even take a small amount of damp new snow down as well. Glide avalanche frequency decreased in recent days, nevertheless I still find myself wary of traveling on slopes beneath gaping glide cracks. Large, unsupported cornices were most likely to fail during the warmer, wetter period last week, but continue to keep a watchful eye on those as well. Snow surfaces make for challenging travel right now. You may find soft, moist snow down low and firm snow beneath the thin fresh coating at upper elevations. Plan your trip with this in mind.

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