Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A foot or more of new snow and strong winds will increase avalanche hazard after a weekend of quiet weather. Stormy conditions should continue into the morning. Stick to simpler terrain with less exposure to avalanches to reduce risk, especially earlier in the day when danger is at its peak.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    There is nothing especially remarkable about the coming storm:  8-16” of new snow falling at slowly cooling temperatures and with the usual strong winds. But then again there is nothing unremarkable about conditions that sharply increase the avalanche hazard overnight.

    Start your day with a conservative plan. Observe new snow depth as you travel upwards. Evaluate the bond of new snow layers, especially to the firm crust below. Slab or loose snow avalanches could also run faster and farther on this crust than expected.

    Identify and use greater caution around steep terrain where the wind creates thicker slabs. Blowing snow should point the way to wind loaded slopes during the storm. Afterward, you will need to use wind affected snow surfaces and other clues to find loaded terrain.

    There’s a chance you could see natural avalanche activity during heavy snowfall and/or strong winds. If this is the case, take appropriate measures like keeping some distance between you and steep terrain overhead.

    Natural storm slab avalanches in the Baker Backcountry on the morning of Jan 10th. 

    Photo: T Papritz

Avalanche Discussion

The likelihood of lingering wet avalanche activity should further diminish with cooler temperatures and less free water wreaking havoc on the snowpack. Still, look out for and reduce exposure to glide cracks and hanging slabs in steep rocky terrain above.  Gide cracks were reported as growing wider on Sunday.

The mountains are recovering from 8” of rain at treeline and a large wet avalanche cycle that occurred January 12-13th. Signs of wet avalanche activity were observed to 6000’ with large debris piles a frequent sight. Observers report rain crust to at least 5000’ and increasing amounts of new snow above the crust as one gains elevation. New avalanche activity on Saturday was limited to small wet loose avalanches on southerly aspects. 

Non-avalanche hazards include wet, punchy snow, crusts, swollen creeks, rain runnels, exposed natural hazards, and frozen avalanche debris. All could be difficult to navigate in poor visibility or barely covered by new snow.

If you’re out in the mountains tomorrow, consider submitting an observation.

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