Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You're most likely to trigger and get caught in an avalanche on steep, wind-loaded slopes on Tuesday. It may be more difficult to identify their locations than usual, as the sneaky slabs may be buried beneath a softer layer of snow, but search out any clues of wind loading like featured or firmer feeling surfaces as hints, and avoid these on steep slopes. Conditions vary greatly in the zone, and some areas may have seen more wind and could have more reactive conditions. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You could trigger wind slab avalanches in shallow new drifts around 6 inches deep, or possibly at the bottom of the new snow layer around a foot deep. Slabs could be hidden under snow that fell with no wind. There may be a weak, old snow surface of facets or surface hoar beneath the new snow layer. This means that triggering a slab could be easier than usual. Avalanches could occur at slightly lower angles than the usual upper 30 degrees, as reported in THIS observation from the West North zone on Sunday. Avalanches might also propagate a little further than suspected. 

    Look for signs of wind-affected snow like scoured ridgelines, fresh cornices, and smooth drifts to figure out the wind-loading pattern in the surrounding terrain. Keep track of differences in the feeling of snow underfoot- if snow feels light versus feeling stiffer or heavier. Deeper snow and softer layers below likely means less or no wind loading, as opposed to stiffer snow underfoot probably meaning wind slab.

    Consider investigating for weak snow that could be at the new/old interface. Test slopes and other assessment tools can help you evaluate the reactivity of slabs on underlying layers. Shooting cracks mean you found a reactive wind slab. If you identify wind-loaded areas, this is where your chances of triggering and getting caught in a large avalanche are greatest, so steer around slopes above 30 degrees when you identify any indicators of wind loading. 

    (2/26/2023)

    A soft wind slab triggered below a cornice on a suprisingly low angle slope, near treeline. Slab was 8"-10" deep at the initiation point. Slab propagated the entire length of the cornice, approximately 30' wide. 

    Photo: Public Observation

  • Loose Dry

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

    An abundance of low-density, cold, dry snow exists. We've received many reports of dry loose avalanches, or sluffs in the last few days in neighboring zones. Some of these have been an unusual mix of a very soft slab and sluff combination, like the accompanying photo. Some sluffs are just running in the top layer of snow, but there's a small chance that some may be running as deep as the new/old interface about a foot down. 

    A sluff probably isn't going to be large enough to bury you, but it could take you for a scary ride if it catches you unaware.  In general, these are more predictable, and you can expect to trigger one as you're making your way out onto a steep slope. Remain alert for snow moving around you while in steep terrain, and get off to the side if large amounts are present. 

    (2/26/2023)

    This is a bit of a combo loose dry/soft slab avalanche, which has been a frequent occurrence the last 2 days. Approximately 10cm deep.

    Photo: Public Ob- Camden Latimer

Avalanche Discussion

Keep in mind that although many recently reported avalanches have been smaller, they've caught people off guard with slightly unusual characteristics like lower slope angles, long propagations, or traveling faster and farther than usual. If you're in high-consequence terrain or in a terrain trap,  the avalanche could still be enough of a problem to kill you. 

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