Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Storm totals will exceed a foot, and human-triggered avalanches are likely as the new snow settles. You'll find deeper snow and more reactive conditions at higher elevations, so choose lower-angle terrain as you climb higher. If we see the sun, wet avalanches are expected, so steer clear of areas beneath large slopes facing the sun. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Human-triggered slab avalanches are likely in the foot or more of new snow at mid and upper elevations on Wednesday, with larger, more reactive slides in wind-loaded areas. A smooth crust beneath the new snow at higher elevations may create a poor bond, allowing snow to slide easily—even outside of wind-loaded terrain.

    Stick to lower-angle terrain. If you have the skills, use quick hand pits to assess bonding. If the snow is well-bonded and right-side-up (softer toward the surface), cautiously traveling on steeper, non-wind-loaded slopes may be reasonable—but start small. Expect loose dry avalanches (sluffing) in these areas.

    Don't ignore red flags like shooting cracks or recent avalanches—signs the snowpack needs more time. If you see these or have any doubt, avoid all steep slopes.

    (3/17/2025) Slab avalanches that failed with a human trigger, just as the slope rolled over and got steep enough. Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Loose Wet

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

    There’s plenty of light, fluffy snow—a welcome change after the long stretch of spring weather. If clouds break on Wednesday, it won’t take much for the strong spring sun to initiate wet loose avalanches in the new snow.

    Slides will most likely start from tree bombs or rocky areas, but they could release on any steep, sun-exposed slope. If the sun comes out, expect a quick uptick in activity. With several inches of new snow, avalanches could grow larger than expected. If the sun appears, move away from steep, sunlit slopes and terrain beneath them.

    (3/27/2026) Rolleballs and small wet loose slides, like ones that could initiate if the sun pops out on Wednesday. They could grow large on big slopes.   Photo: Robert Shughart

Avalanche Discussion

Make sure you shift your mindset back to winter conditions and dry snow avalanche problems if you venture out on Wednesday. As of Tuesday evening, storm totals at several areas around the zone were recording about an inch of water, which likely fell as about a foot of snow at upper elevations. Decline Creek at the top of the lower elevation band had 7 inches of new snow. 

Tuesday night, we're expecting another 6-10 inches to fall, with snowlines dropping low. It's going to be cold. Most areas in the lower elevation band don't have old snow cover, but near the top, there could be smooth, continuous old snow surfaces with 6 or more inches of snow on them, and avalanches could occur. 

Before this storm, we had a long period of spring weather, with receding snowpacks that were rapidly transitioning to spring conditions. Most areas, aside from upper-elevation north-facing slopes, had a spring snowpack composed of moist, large melt forms. The surface layer may have frozen into a hard crust during this cooling, especially as you work your way higher. Higher north-facing slopes still may have had some dry snow layers, but probably crusts from wind or warming at the surface, now beneath this new snow layer. 

There are so many bare and melted out areas, including cracks and holes all the way up through mid elevations, at least. Many of these will be thinly disguised by the new snow. Beware of these hazards during your travels. 

Regions covered