Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The incoming storm could result in some fresh Wind Slab development at mid to upper elevations on Monday. Look for visual clues such as blowing snow or textured surfaces to help identify the potential problem areas to steer around. Thicker slabs may exist on the volcanoes where deeper accumulations are forecasted.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We’re expecting just enough snow and wind at mid to upper elevations that you could encounter some shallow Wind Slabs on lee slopes on Monday. Look for actively blowing snow or fresh drifts that look “fat” in comparison to the surrounding terrain to help identify wind-loaded features to avoid. They’ll be more likely near ridgelines and rocky terrain or on convex rollovers. On the volcanoes, you may see slightly deeper and potentially more reactive slabs. 

    (3/17/2023)

    Signs of wind transport like this can help you identify where slabs likely exist.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

It was a generally warm and sunny weekend around the West South zone with temperatures soaring into the 40s and even 50s. This resulted in fairly widespread Wet Loose avalanche activity on most aspects except true northerlies. As temperatures continue to cool with our incoming storm wave, expect these warm and wet surfaces to lock up and become a new crust. On those shaded aspects, there is well-settled powder with, in places, weak surface hoar. On Monday, you should dig with your hand to take a look at how well the new snow has bonded to the underlying surface wherever you are out playing. 

We suspect the majority of avalanche activity to involve the new storm snow, which could run far and fast on the underlying crust if it is poorly bonded. If overlaying the surface hoar on northerly aspects, slides could break widely or even wrap terrain features. At the lowest elevations, expect precipitation to be liquid, which could result in some wet avalanche activity such as rollerballs or Wet Loose slides.

Regions covered