Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If you’re going to find unstable snow, it will likely be a small isolated wind loaded pocket near the ridgecrest. Even though the danger is low, keep your eyes open for firm pillow-like drifts and blowing snow to identify steep slopes you may want to avoid.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Increasing ridgetop winds may start to transport the soft surface snow Friday and form new shallow slabs on the lee sides of ridges and gullies. These newer drifts could build on older wind slabs formed this past week. Fortunately, because this avalanche issue will be actively forming, it should be easy to see which slopes are being loaded by the winds. When you observe blowing snow and find firmer pillow-like drifts, take note of which aspects and on what type of features these slabs are forming. You’ve located the problem that you want to avoid. These potential avalanches should be rather thin and small. However, even small slides can hurt you if they push you off a cliff or into rocks.

    Wind effect was visible near ridgelines - note the visible rain runnels on the looker's L, and the pillow of wind deposited snow on the looker's R. Photo: Robin Pendery

Avalanche Discussion

We’re in a bit of a transition as we await a larger change in the weather pattern this weekend. On Friday, warming temperatures may be enough to cause a few rollerballs on some slopes, but they shouldn’t result in any significant loose wet avalanche activity. Cloudy skies and increasing winds may help conditions feel cooler than temperatures indicate. 

As we head towards more active weather, we’re keeping our eyes on the upper snowpack above the very firm and thick atmospheric river layer. On southerly slopes, a breakable surface crust likely formed over the past few days. This layer often caps a few inches of softer storm snow. In shaded terrain this upper snowpack is much more complex. Weak sugary facets (1-2m) have been observed just above the atmospheric river crust. These were notably absent on sunny slopes. At the moment the overlying snow is very soft and unconsolidated, thus lacking a slab. However, that could change this weekend. You can help us by submitting observations of the upper few inches of the snowpack above the very prominent and stout crust. 

Not surprisingly recent weather resulted in some challenging travel conditions. Piles of frozen avalanche debris, open creeks, breakable crusts, icy slopes, and rough surfaces all exists. Give yourself extra time to navigate these possible hazards on your trip.

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