Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A lull between storms has improved stability, but human-triggered avalanches are still likely at upper elevations. Avoid steep slopes, especially if you see any obvious signs of weakness such as long shooting cracks or whumphing. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Several natural and human-triggered avalanches were reported in neighboring zones on Saturday. This was during and just after the storm that deposited 2 or more ft of snow. On Sunday, some folks were out testing steep slopes for us and didn't trigger avalanches. However, a few large human-triggered avalanches were reported.

    We suspect a weak layer just beneath the new snow may be a culprit for some of this avalanche activity. It's tough to tell what slopes may have this layer, and information is limited. Avoid large, steep and unsupported slopes, especially as you travel towards upper elevations. 

    Larger triggers, such as snowmobiles and cornice fall, may make it easier to trigger an avalanche. Wind-loaded slopes may be more reactive, but there's a possibility that in areas with thicker slabs it'll be more difficult to trigger underlying weaknesses. Shallower deposits may be where you could trigger a large slide. It's tough to tell! 

    Example photo: a large storm slab avalanche on an exposed slope, similar to one you could trigger on Monday. Photo: Jason Speer- Baker Mtn Guides

Avalanche Discussion

We'll be getting a few inches of snow on Monday, which probably isn't enough to change the avalanche danger. If we get more snow than expected, consider more conservative travel. A large storm approaches the region Monday night. We expect natural avalanche cycles to result, and high avalanche danger for Tuesday.  So far, we've received around 2 feet of snow since New Year's. We can expect to nearly double that amount in the next day. Nevertheless, our snowpack previous to our rapid arrival of winter was fairly thin, and mid and elevations have a base of about of 3 feet of firm, crusty layers where we aren't expecting avalanches to step down into. 

Beware of sneaky creek holes and exposed or thinly snow-covered rocks, stumps, and trees reminding us that we still have a very shallow snowpack despite this recent storm. 

Regions covered