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

Heightened avalanche danger persists due to fresh overnight snow and growing wind slabs. You’re most likely to trigger a large slab at middle and upper elevations on the southern volcanoes, where recent snowfall totals outpaced the northern end of the zone. Watch for fat, pillow-like drifts, newly built cornices, and sharp wind lips to help identify and avoid wind-loaded slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will vary greatly in size and distribution across the West South. Overall danger will depend on how much snow has accumulated and how efficiently the wind has been able to move it. In some parts of the zone, this problem will be less pronounced due to lower snow totals and lighter ridgeline winds. But near and south of Highway 12, especially on the southern volcanoes, there’s potential for large wind slabs to exist.

    As you travel, monitor how much new snow has stacked up and look for increasing signs of wind effect as you gain elevation. If you’re finding deeper snow paired with wind scouring, fresh cornices, and actively blowing snow, you’re likely stepping into wind-loaded terrain. As you climb into stronger wind affect and deeper drifts, steer clear of steep leeward slopes that could produce a large and dangerous avalanche.

    (1/31/2026)

    Two older natural slab avalanches. These failed near Crystal Mountain over a week ago.

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

The last 36 hours brought a healthy dose of rain and mountain snow to the West South. The southern volcanoes picked up the most precipitation, with stations around Mount St. Helens recording around 2 inches of water. Paradise, on Mount Rainier, and Crystal Mountain came in closer to 0.75 inches, while White Pass measured roughly 0.89 inches. Snow levels started out near the middle elevation band before cooling to low elevations by late Sunday afternoon. Despite rain at trailhead level, most areas likely saw at least 6 inches of snow above 6,000 feet, with over a foot possible on the southern volcanoes; you’ll just need to climb a bit to find it. Moderate winds blew at ridgeline before dropping off during the daytime hours.

A few additional inches of snow are expected Sunday night, followed by a drying trend through the day Monday. As precipitation tapers off, the southern part of the zone may see periods of clearing. If that happens, there's potential for a spike in wet loose avalanche activity. Keep an eye out for warming red flags like fresh rollerballs, small point-release avalanches, or dense, sticky surface snow, indicating it might be time to move toward shadier or lower-angle slopes.

Across much of the West South, wind drifts and slabs should be on the smaller side and generally confined near to ridgelines or the top of leeward-facing slopes. However, the southern end of the zone saw significantly more snowfall at mid and upper elevations. If you're on the search for deeper snow, expect the possibility of larger avalanches to come with it.

Regions covered