Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Storm intensity peaks Sunday night, and avalanche danger will likely peak overnight as well. Large natural and human-triggered avalanches will continue through Monday, especially in areas where wind deposited thick drifts of snow on steep slopes. Pay attention to where this heavier snow lies, search for signs of recent avalanches and cracking in the snow, and avoid steep slopes in those areas and the lower angle terrain beneath them.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Strong winds are redistributing snow into touchy slabs, and avalanches are very likely. Small wind slab avalanches occurred on Sunday before the storm even began adding more snow to the equation. There was also a natural avalanche on Hwy 542 Sunday afternoon just below Heather Meadows, not long after the storm began. The avalanche covered the road. A large natural avalanche cycle is expected Sunday night, and elevated avalanche conditions will continue into Monday. 

    Very dangerous avalanche conditions are present- constantly search for clues such as active drifting of snow onto a slope, and shooting cracks. Feel for firmer snow beneath your feet, or hollow-feeling surfaces. Visibility may present a challenge, nevertheless steer clear of wind-loaded slopes greater than 30 degrees and the lower angle slopes beneath them.

    (1/2/2022)

    This human-triggered wind slab occurred Sunday morning before the new snow was added to the equation- expect similar but much larger avalanches overnight and on Monday.  

    Photo: Matt Lubar- Baker Mtn Guides

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    There is a lot of uncertainty around the deep persistent slab problem with how widespread and reactive the weak layer is. A very large natural avalanche occurred in the Baker backcountry on Friday. Check out the investigation HERE. Another one occurred around the corner from it, probably on the 26th. We suspect more deep persistent slab avalanches occurred since Saturday as wind and snow added more weight. 

    Our layer of concern is surface hoar which was buried on the Solstice. It is present in areas approximately 4800ft and higher. Some observers noted surface hoar was destroyed by wind in at least some locations on the 21st before snow covered it, but clearly that is not the case everywhere based on our recent avalanches. As the storm continues to load slopes, steer clear of large, wind-loaded slopes and the terrain beneath them, even if the area is flat.

    (1/1/2022)

    At the crown line of the deep persistent slab avalanche which occurred in the Baker backcountry on Friday 12/31. Note how large debris chunks are. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

One to two feet of snow will fall  Sunday night, and winds will extensively redistribute it. Another six inches or more will fall during the day. In many areas, you will find drifts several feet deep. You might find deposits where you wouldn’t normally see them, such as crossloaded on features or further downslope than expected. Snow may plaster onto surfaces in some areas and stay unreactive, while in other locales you could encounter touchy slabs. Travel will present a challenge, as conditions will remain windy and snow will continue falling. If you get out on Monday, submit an OBSERVATION so we can hear how conditions were for you.

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