Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is mainly low, but especially in areas further south in the zone there's a chance you might be able to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow at upper elevations. Even with low danger, triggering a small avalanche in high consequence terrain such as in a chute or above a cliff, means that you could still take a dangerous ride. Snow surfaces are crusty and make travel more difficult on the southerly half of the compass, but north-facing slopes are still clinging on to light, dry snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    More wind and snow on south and eastern portions of the zone means there's a small chance that you could still trigger a wind slab avalanche on above treeline slopes.  If you're traveling on the periphery of the West Central Zone, don't hesitate to take a look at the adjacent zone forecast as well, as that information could be relevant to where you're traveling. 

    Small drifts along ridgelines and around features may exist. Pay attention to the snow surface and whether there is any wind loading, noting rippled or textured surfaces, and feeling for firmer snow.  Shooting cracks are good indicators that a slope could avalanche, so if this occurs avoid nearby wind-loaded steep slopes. We don't expect many reactive wind slabs to still exist, but due to limited information in the area, make sure to pay attention and keep making observations as you travel. Even if you only trigger a small avalanche, if you're in high consequence terrain the outcome could be bad if it catches you. Winds shift on Saturday, but they aren't expected to be strong enough to redistribute snow into more reactive slabs.  

     

    If you find a clue such as cracking, avoid nearby steep slopes. 

    Photo: Daniel MacDonald

Avalanche Discussion

Several nearby zones reported human-triggered loose dry avalanches on steep, north-facing terrain in recent days. Stay aware of them, and they're usually manageable. A loose dry avalanche, or small isolated wind slab that you trigger if you're entering a chute, could be more challenging to escape from if it catches you. Keep heightened awareness if you're planning on traveling in higher consequence areas such as the aforementioned locations, or other hazardous spots such as above cliff bands. 

Expect to encounter crusts on south-facing slopes from recent sun breaks, making travel more difficult. North-facing terrain is probably still hanging onto powder. This powder snow is sitting over the 4/8 crust, now buried 1-2 or more feet down above 4000ft.  Unsettled weather is expected to continue in the upcoming days, with a couple inches or more of snow falling every day or two. 

As springtime progresses, despite the recent and ongoing cooler temperatures and snow, the annual migration of climbers, mountaineers and ski tourers into the depths of the West Central Zone is commencing. Occasional Facebook posts are found on the trip to some obscure peak in the depths of the West Central Zone as adventurers are starting to get out there. Please consider sharing your information with NWAC as well as the Facebook community, so that we can write better forecasts for other backcountry users who are also making their way out. You can submit observations HERE. Have a great Easter weekend!

 

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