Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wet avalanches may become possible on steep slopes that face the sun with daytime warming. Keep your eyes peeled for large recent avalanches, and keep in mind typical hazards of the mountains such as cornices, and glide avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Avalanches may become possible on very steep slopes that face the sun with mid-day warming. Look for wet snow surfaces once the surface freeze breaks down by afternoon. If you begin punching into wet snow deeper than your ankle, then it's time to change aspects. If you find a thick crust topping snow surfaces, then avalanches are unlikely.

    Keep in mind mountain hazards such as cornices and glide avalanches. Don't linger beneath large alpine features if they have glide cracks or cornices. 

    (11/29/2021)

    An example of rollerballs from a rain event in the early season, Slate Lake.

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

We are entering a pattern of melt freeze, where each day the snow surface may melt in the sun, and refreeze at night. Avalanche danger is dependent upon how thick the surface freeze becomes, and how fast that crust breaks down. If you find yourself in deep, punchy, wet snow, then expect you could see avalanches. On Thursday, observers reported large (D2.5) wet avalanches out of Cutthroat and Liberty Bell Paths. This cycle of wet avalanches likely occurred on Tuesday/Wednesday with rain to at least 7,400ft. Very large, deep slab avalanches were spotted in the neighboring West North zone on Friday. Check out the obs page for photos.

Prior to the recent, warm storm, observers found a variety of snow surfaces including thin surface hoar, sun crusts, and decomposing snowflakes. On, Monday observers reported a rain crust about 8" below the surface that exists below 5,300ft and roughly west of Delancey Ridge. A significant winter storm wrapped up on the 7th. In the Highway 20 corridor observers noted a widespread cycle with avalanches up to D2.5.  Slab avalanches were reported at low elevations in the eastern part of the zone. An even more widespread cycle occurred at lower elevations and in sagebrush country in the East Central zone, including in places like along Hwy 97A above the Columbia River.  From January 5-7th, the Washington Pass area picked up roughly 3.3 inches of water with 2' of settling storm snow.  Mazama saw 18" over this period.  The storm ended with extreme westerly winds that transported significant snow at all elevations on the 7th and 8th.  

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