Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

7:30 AM UPDATE: Elevated the hazard rating to moderate based on higher snowfall totals overnight, particularly on the volcanoes. 

There's not a lot of avalanche potential out there, but a few inches of new snow drifted around by the wind could fail on leeward ridgelines or steep, rocky terrain. If the sun comes out, the surface snow could destabilize and produce small loose slides or rollerballs. If you see natural avalanche activity or find yourself in a location with higher storm totals, avalanche hazard could be a notch higher than forecast.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As you ascend in elevation on Wednesday, small slabs could exist in wind-exposed areas where more than a few inches of recent snow has fallen. The winds have been undoubtedly strong enough to transport new snow into shallow slabs, but is there enough dry snow on the surface to form consequential slabs? If they're out there, look for them near ridgelines or confined gullies/chutes.

    (3/4/2025)

    A small wind slab that failed immediately after a storm near Crystal Mountain on 3/4. It is connected to an older wind slab crown from earlier this week.

    Photo: Josh Lipkowitz

Avalanche Discussion

On Tuesday, the West South picked up 3-5 inches of new snow with moderate to strong winds. The Camp Muir weather station approached 90 mph for several hours as other stations gusted well into the acceptable range to transport snow. Near Crystal Mountain, the sun came out briefly in the late afternoon and the new snow started to fail as shallow slabs and loose avalanches on slopes that receive direct sunshine. It's a bit of a coin-flip if similar activity will occur on Wednesday in other areas if the sun comes out. Our hunch is that the storm snow will have had time to settle some and you won't find much in the way of consequential avalanches. But if you do, it will presumably be a small wind slab. 

A new crust likely exists on the surface or below the new snow. It will vary in stoutness across the landscape, but should continue to stiffen as temperatures drop over the extended forecast period. We expect all avalanche activity to be confined to any new snow above this crust, limiting the size and consequence of any potential slide. That includes any wind slab or loose avalanche that fails during a period of sunshine. Further below the surface, you'll find a robust and thick crust from last week's atmospheric river event which is considered our "new ground" for the foreseeable future. 

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