Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Strong winds, heavy precipitation, and warming temperatures will bring very dangerous avalanche conditions on Wednesday. It might not seem like it first thing in the morning, but large human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely as the snowpack destabilizes. Avoid traveling on, near, or beneath steep terrain as the weather worsens.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    There is a serious amount of precipitation on the way for the mountains, and the bulls-eye is set on the southern volcanoes. Precipitation is expected to intensify and warm as the day progresses, meaning the danger might rise more substantially in the latter half of the day, compared to the morning. The West South recently picked up over a foot of cold, light snow, and this snow will quickly be blanketed by heavier, dense snow on top, turning the snowpack "upside down".

    This is a dangerous setup, and it could set the stage for a natural avalanche cycle by the late afternoon. Slopes may become sensitive to trigger, and run longer distances into lower-angle terrain. Deeper avalanches may be triggered in areas of wind-loading, and step down as far as the 3/8 crust. As the weather degrades, don't dilly dally. Move to lower-angle terrain, and avoid traveling near or beneath large steep slopes.

    (2/25/2026)

    A crown of a large, natural avalanche in the West South. This was a persistent slab avalanche, but similarly sized storm slabs may occur on Wednesday

    Photo: Shane Robinson

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    As the day warms up and the snow turns heavy, your chances of triggering a wet avalanche will increase. There is a lot of cold, low-density snow on the ground, and it might not take much water to begin to have an impact. If the snow underfoot starts to feel heavy and sticky, or you notice fresh roller balls or small wet avalanches, it's probably time to move to lower-angle terrain.

    (3/1/2026)

    Wet loose slides were observed throughout the Paradise area on 3/1.

    Photo: Mount Rainier Nordic Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday brought clearing skies and a fresh coat of low-density snow to the West South. Most areas picked up 5-6 inches of snow overnight into Tuesday, bringing the storm totals to 12-15 inches. Observers reported sensitive cornices and fresh wind lips near ridgelines, but generally small wind slab activity. The 3/8 crust, located beneath the recent snowfall, has turned very firm and supportable, limiting your chances of triggering an avalanche deeper in the snowpack.

Wednesday will be a stormy day in the mountains, and the avalanche danger is expected to rise quickly. Particularly dangerous conditions could develop on the southern volcanoes, which will receive significantly more precipitation than the surrounding zone. Wednesday will be a good day to keep to simple, lower-angle terrain. If you're headed into the mountains, plan your day accordingly, and remain flexible to adjust as the danger builds.

It may be the second week of March, but snow coverage is still very thin out there. The recent rain has blown open creeks, decreased lower elevation snow depth, and re-exposed rocks, stumps, and other earthly objects. Take caution when traveling in these lower tide areas.

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