Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

We could get 6 inches of snow by the end of the day, adding new snow avalanche problems back into the equation. Not a lot of avalanche activity is expected in the storm snow, but on steep slopes at higher elevations small dry slab or loose snow slides may run, while at lower elevations moist snow could slide. Although failures are unlikely, continue to avoid terrain beneath glide cracks and large, saggy cornices. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Incoming new snow will fall with very little wind and temperatures will cool. It may be more appropriate to call this problem a "new snow problem" than a storm slab, but that's not on the drop-down menu. In general, we don't expect there to be too much avalanche activity, and what there is will be relatively small.  This doesn't mean you should blindly make your way into all steep terrain on Saturday.

    We don't expect too much new slab development, given the previously described snowfall conditions, but it's not completely out of the question that small slabs could form, especially at upper elevations. Avalanches may behave more like sluffs, or dry loose avalanches. In terrain 35° and especially when it's even steeper, the snow could slide on its own, or maybe once you make your way onto the slope. We're unsure how well the snow will bond to the underlying layer. Beneath it, there may be a crust, or in some spots, especially at lower elevations underlying snow could be moist and soft, and avalanches may entrain some of that snow. In general, at the snow/rain interface in the mid and lower elevation band, small wet loose avalanche activity could occur. If you see much natural activity avoid traveling on nearby steep slopes and beneath them.

    Use extra caution when you're in high-consequence terrain, like in areas where there are cliffs beneath you, rocks, trees, or gullies that could pile shallow slides into deep deposits. These are areas to be particularly concerned about on Saturday, as they seriously magnify the consequence of even a small slide if you are caught. 

    (1/3/2024)

    Example photo: You may find any number of new snow avalanche types  on Saturday- possibly one like this in the mid elevations.

    Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding Truth

Avalanche Discussion

Reports of recent glide and cornice failure avalanches have been mixed, with the last ones in the West North zone being from Monday, yet glide avalanches were still happening in the Snoqualmie zone on Friday, so despite the lack of a good solid refreeze we're removing deeper wet snow avalanche problems but continuing to bring it up in this section. Temperatures will thankfully cool a bit more over the weekend, but we still recommend avoiding travel beneath gaping glide cracks or large, saggy cornices. If you must travel beneath them, do so quickly. 

Snow cover rapidly receded since the start of the warm weather on 3/12. Snowlines start at or well above 3000ft depending on aspect. Travel hazards have plagued us this year, and still remain more of a concern than a usual deep snowpack. Unexpected openings near creeks and rock features are important to be aware of during your outing, which you may not find until you've fallen into them. 

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