Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Happy New Year!  Enjoy the first day of 2025 in the backcountry safely by using caution near and below ridgelines where winds have recently drifted snow over the last few days.  If you see signs of fresh drifting along ridgelines and peaks, triggering a slab avalanche could be easier than you think. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As you move about in the backcountry , contemplating what's in store for 2025,  consider where in the terrain you might pry a wind slab avalanche loose on Wednesday.  Use caution near and below ridgelines where winds have recently drifted snow over the last few days, especially at upper elevations or more exposed areas at middle elevations.   At least one sizeable wind slab avalanche was observed on Tuesday (info below). Use caution anywhere even a small avalanche could cause harm, like near cliff bands and gullies.  A few larger, firmer, and older wind slabs could still linger in bigger terrain at upper elevations.  While these are unlikely, you should consider the consequences before stepping out onto larger more open slopes.  

    While we're mostly talking in terms of older wind slabs, if the winds are stronger than forecast overnight, shallow new wind slabs may form and could be easier to trigger than anticipated.  Look for signs of freshly drifted snow and/or blowing snow along ridgelines as well as shooting cracks as you travel, all signs that you could trigger a wind slab avalanche on similar slopes. 

     

    (12/31/2024)

    Slab avalanche triggered with an intentional cornice drop, N side of Mt Herman.  Overhanging cornices visible to the left of the crown. 

    Photo: Liza Kimberly

Avalanche Discussion

Backcountry travelers enjoyed some late December sunshine and good snow conditions in the Mt Baker backcountry on Tuesday.   Wednesday could offer more of the same if a weak weather system largely stays to the south of the area.  An intentional cornice cut triggered a 10-12" deep slab avalanche on the N side of Herman Tuesday, otherwise numerous D1-1.5 loose dry avalanches were reported,  largely below rocky features catching sunshine. 

Forecasters found the surface snow weakening with the recent cold weather (cold relative to this winter), and a few interfaces worth tracking in the upper snowpack when we get back into a more active loading pattern.  Deeper in the snowpack, you can find the prominent Solstice Crust generally 2-3 ft (60-90cm) below the surface.

Happy New Year from all of us at the Northwest Avalanche Center! 

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