Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Wind-drifted snow pockets near and above treeline are where you're most likely to trigger an avalanche on Wednesday. Avalanches will probably be small, but take into account that very steep, committing terrain is where you're most likely trigger one, and being taken for a ride could still cause plenty of harm. Identify and avoid areas where wind formed fresh drifts to reduce the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Forecasts are showing scattered snow showers and moderate winds, which could be enough to replenish or create new slabs in above treeline terrain. You may also see new slabs and greater danger affecting near and above treeline if more snow or stronger winds than forecast occurs. Evaluate for wind slabs by identifying actively drifting snow or textured surfaces. Slabs could lurk beneath cornices, or you might find them by experiencing long, shooting cracks or changes in snow depth and stiffness. If you notice any of these clues, steer around steep nearby slopes. Be sure to identify whether a slope you're considering traveling onto has any accompanying terrain traps which could make even a small avalanche deadly. You're much less likely to encounter an avalanche in terrain with no wind effect or loading. 

     

    An old photo of small wind slab pockets breaking off with a human trigger on the Shuksan Arm. This is similar to what you might find on Wednesday. In steep upper elevation terrain.

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

Conditions have remained similar in the area for a few days now. We're seeing a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures that aren't quite getting too warm. Scattered showers are continuing, with not enough snow expected to amount to an increase in avalanche danger. 

Enough sun has occurred in the last few days that moistening and a subsequent crust has formed in many locations throughout the zone on the southern half of the compass. This means snow surfaces aren't as pleasant for travel on sunny aspects, but avalanches are less likely, and there also isn't much snow that's capable of being transported by wind off these aspects. Meanwhile, north-facing terrain is holding onto cold, dry snow, and plenty of low-density snow exists. Wind can transport this snow if it wraps around to these aspects, and it's where you're more likely to encounter avalanches. This is probably one of the easiest assessments you can do during your outing, as you'll likely gravitate away from crusty areas and search out powder where there's more potential for wind slabs up high. 

Two cornice-triggered avalanches were the most notable events we saw in the last few days. Cornices grew large and unstable in the past month, and many are at a breaking point. Stand very far back from their edge, and consider avoiding or traveling very quickly across slopes beneath large cornices. 

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