Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche danger will slowly rise throughout the day as wind speeds continue to increase. Pay attention to signs of newly wind-deposited snow by watching snow drift or identifying wind-textured surfaces, in addition to feeling for firmer snow surfaces. Steer around steep slopes if you identify any of these signs, or notice other indicators such as whumphing or shooting cracks. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Expect to encounter newly drifted snow deposits that become more reactive as the wind deposits more snow throughout the day. Continuously assess conditions as you travel, and be aware that areas you may have traveled earlier could be more dangerous as the day progresses. Search for visual clues such as seeing wind depositing snow onto a slope, or identifying pillows or textured snow surfaces.  Feel the snow beneath you, and pay attention to changes in its hardness, as firmer snow is an indicator that a wind slab could be present. More obvious indicators of a reactive wind slab are long, shooting cracks or whumphing.

    You are most likely to trigger an avalanche on slopes greater than 35 degrees, so if any of the previously mentioned clues are present, steer around steeper slopes. You will oftentimes find these deposits near ridgelines, in gullies, around rocky outcroppings or on steep rollovers. Snow cover at lower elevations doesn't appear to be deep enough to produce avalanches in most areas, however, in some isolated locations such as on smooth, grassy slopes, there might be enough snow to produce a sizeable avalanche. Even when an avalanche is small, if a terrain trap is beneath you there could be higher consequences if you get caught in an avalanche. 

     

    (2/24/2022)

    A good example of shooting cracks and small slabs breaking in wind-loaded terrain, similar to what you might see on Friday.

    Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday night's storm deposited snow to low elevations, and we saw about a foot of snow at upper elevations, probably more, especially further south in the zone. Reports from neighboring zones found mainly stable new snow, with a few small dry loose and slab avalanches during and after the storm.  Someone was buried in an avalanche on a short, steep gully feature outside the Mt Baker Ski Area boundary on Wednesday, and was quickly dug out. Not much is known about the incident, but it was probably a loose dry avalanche, or sluff, that they or someone above them triggered. Though the avalanche was very small, it still highlights both the need to be aware of terrain traps below and good communication with those around you.

Some observations from around the Cascades are finding weak layers midway or near the bottom of the snowpack. Not many avalanches have occurred on the weak snow layers, however, we have not loaded large amounts of new snow on it yet, in addition to being unsure of how well developed the weak layer may be, or if it is even there.

The snowpack is not yet deep, and there are still higher risks of hitting trees and rocks during your travels than in a mid-season snowpack. Information about the snowpack is limited, so if you are out in the mountains, let us know what you encounter by submitting an observation. 

 

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