Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weak layers exist under the new snow layer, around 3 feet deep at mid and upper elevations. Large natural and human-triggered avalanches occurred earlier in the week on these layers in neighboring zones, although likelihood of triggering an avalanche on that layer is decreasing. To reduce your chances of triggering a large avalanche that could kill you, avoid big, steep, unsupported slopes, and when in doubt, just stay off large steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–2.5

    Persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in the backcountry. During and just after the storm, multiple large natural and human-triggered avalanches occurred in neighboring zones. Avalanche activity has since decreased. It may be getting harder to trigger an avalanche but don't assume all slopes are safe. It's difficult to identify where exactly you might find this weakness due to the unusual patchwork of layers that formed during the January drought. The snow structure varies across the zone - and even across the same slope, so digging a snow pit won't do much good.

    If you trigger an avalanche, it could propagate widely, release in adjacent terrain, or from the middle of a slope. You may not get warning signs like whumphs or shooting cracks before an avalanche occurs. You could get away with being on a steep slope, but there's still a small chance you could find a spot nearby, even on the same slope or maybe the next one over where you could trigger a large, unsurvivable avalanche.

    If you don't want to risk being caught in one of these avalanches, avoid traveling on large, steep slopes, especially areas where the new snow layer has been wind-swept and thinner, or on large, unsupported features. The likelihood of triggering one of these avalanches is low, but the consequence if you're caught is high. 

    (2/5/2025)

    Filled-in crown from a large natural avalanche in the West North zone, likely a persistent slab avalanche failure mid storm.  Northeast aspect at 5000'.

Avalanche Discussion

Very small loose snow sluffs could run on steep slopes on Thursday. They may be dry, or on steep south-facing terrain, if the sun is shining, you may see some moist snow dribbles. We don't expect them to get very big. A thin crust may exist on steep south-facing slopes from the sun peeking out on Tuesday.

At higher elevations, there may be small wind slabs that you could trigger a small avalanche in. We don't expect that there will be many, and they will probably be small. It's not out of the question that triggering one of those could provide enough weight to release a persistent slab avalanche. 

There's a lot of deep, light snow out there - about 3 feet of it. Deep snow immersion is a hazard. Have a partner close by. Tree wells and other hidden hazards like creeks are high risk right now. We should get a couple more inches of snow overnight, but not enough to change anything. 

If you decide to step out into steeper terrain, increase your survival chances by having a partner, only exposing one person at a time to the slope, and, as always, be equipped with a transceiver, shovel, and probe. Know how to use your rescue gear and practice regularly so that you can quickly dig your friend out before they die of asphyxia if they didn't die from trauma first. 

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