Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Precipitation is slowing on Thursday, and cooling temperatures means there may actually be a couple inches of snow at upper elevations. As the snowpack drains, remain aware of wet snow avalanche problems although the likelihood of them naturally occurring is diminishing. Continue to avoid steep terrain and don't travel on slopes beneath large cornices or glide cracks. 

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Your main concern is glide avalanches peeling off either steep rock faces or surfaces with low vegetation like shrubbery and grass. Soggy cornices could still shed as well. Other wet avalanche types have probably already run their course but are not completely out of the question. 

    During your outing on Thursday, avoid traveling beneath slopes where you see glide cracks or large cornices above you. Continue to avoid steep slopes. If you have any doubt or see any natural activity, steer clear of avalanche terrain. 

     

     

    (3/22/2023)

    An old photo of a glide avalanche and cracks across an entire alpine basin near Whitehorse, similar to how conditions are like now- aside from the blue skies. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

We suspect most natural wet avalanche activity has backed off, but considering how much water we've received at such warm temperatures in the last few days, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if a large natural avalanche still released as the snowpack drains. The problem is, although natural activity is trending unlikely, you never know when or where one may occur. Any lingering avalanche activity will likely happen at mid or upper elevations where there's still several feet of snow base.

Since upper elevations hit above freezing on Friday we've had about 5 inches of rain in the West Central zone. The good news is that a slight cooling is finally approaching. By Thursday night, snowlines should reach about 4500ft, and we could get a couple inches of snow. Travel will go from sticky, soggy, and punchy, but up high as  temperatures cool you might encounter hard, frozen surfaces. If you make it to upper elevations, expect small drifts but there probably won't be enough snow to produce much of an avalanche. 

We've got a sad snowpack, especially at lower elevations, for the first day of February. Snowpacks are averaging around 50% of what we normally see at this time of year. Creeks are swollen and there's snow lacking in many areas of the lower elevation band. Travel is challenging, and snow surfaces remain wet and punchy at lower and mid-elevations. 

Regions covered