Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Despite the slightly cooler temperatures, Saturday will remain dangerous, and it will be a day to avoid slopes over 35 degrees. Deep and widely propagating avalanches are likely on an older weak layer 2-3 feet below the surface. Watch for wet avalanches on sunny slopes, and don't linger under cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Put a large buffer between where you travel and slopes over 35 degrees. Choose more conservative terrain than normal. Warming temperatures will keep these avalanches reactive, and you could trigger them from below or on adjacent to steep slopes. Cornice falls and large wet avalanches could potentially initiate more dangerous persistent slabs. 

    Since the 26th, there have been multiple reports of widely propagating avalanches. Three backcountry riders have been buried in two separate avalanches near Harts Pass and one person was killed. More info in the Forecast Discussion below.  With the January Drought Layer (JDL) nearly 3ft deep now, you may not receive warning signs of whumpfs or collapses in flatter terrain. Avalanches may run full path into flat terrain below. The only way to manage these problems is avoidance. Make conservative route selections and avoid overhead exposure from cornice failures and steep, northerly terrain.

     

    (2/28/2025)

    A large avalanche near Hart's Pass that caught 2 snowmobilers and resulted in one fatality on February 28th. 

    HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O. Cone Mtn, NE, 6,800ft

    Photo: NCH

  • Loose Wet

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

    Once surface crusts melt, directly sun-exposed slopes on southeast through southwest aspects could be wet and unsupportive.  Wet avalanches will be possible on more shaded terrain. Move to lower-angle slopes if you see rollerballs or fresh avalanches. Be aware of avalanches coming from overhead terrain. They may run naturally from above. 

    Consider the consequences of a large glide avalanche or cornice fall. While these may be less likely, the consequences could be severe. Avoid lingering underneath glide cracks, cliffs, or overhung cornices. These overhead hazards run naturally and could trigger an avalanche on slopes below.

    (2/27/2025) Natural wet avalanches off of Cutthroat Peak from the recent warming.

     Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary Report: On Friday, February 28, three snowmobilers were riding near Harts Pass in the East North zone when they triggered a large slab avalanche. Two riders were caught and carried. One rider was fully buried and killed. The other was partially buried and injured. NWAC is working with local avalanche professionals to conduct an investigation. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community. (NE, 6,800ft HS-AM-D2.5-R4-O)

Temperatures will be slower to cool east of the Cascade crest. While avalanche activity may slow, the severe consequences remain. On the 27-28th, observers reported wet avalanches, up to size D3, running naturally. 

This week, avalanche professionals reported numerous very large persistent slab avalanches throughout the terrain. In addition to the avalanche fatality, mentioned above, a snowmobiler was fully buried in a similar avalanche near Harts Pass on the 26th. Fortunately, he survived. These persistent slab avalanches failed on facets of the January Drought Layer (JDL), buried on January 31st and now 2-3' below the surface.  Earlier this week, travelers near Cutthroat Creek and Silverstar felt several collapses. We have been concerned about these types of avalanches for the better part of February. But, it wasn't until the recent warm snowfall formed a more substantial slab over the JDL that we began to see increased reactivity. This problem will be with us for a while and will require conservative terrain selection. Avoiding steep, northerly slopes will be essential to safely travel in the mountains. 

Heavy, dense snow layering over weak faceted snow in the foothills near the Methow Valley led to reports of whumfping and small avalanches the last 2 days.  We expect the prolonged warm temperatures will eventually help strengthen this weak snowpack structure, but this problem should still be on your radar until we get a solid cold night with a good re-freeze of the snowpack.

You can help us gather more data by submitting an observation HERE or via the Avy App. 

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