Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There's a small chance that you could find wind slabs at upper elevations that you could trigger an avalanche on. You'll be most likely to encounter wind slabs just below ridgelines and in and around features. When in doubt steer around steep, wind-loaded slopes, especially if there is an accompanying terrain trap on the slope.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Newly formed shallow wind slabs are what you might encounter at upper elevations on Sunday. Neighboring zones reported relatively quiet conditions on Saturday, but wind was redistributing snow at upper elevations, and there will be increasing winds overnight building new slabs. Plenty of low-density snow still exists to be blown around. Be sure to check for and test wind slabs on steep slopes before fully committing to a slope.  High-consequence terrain is the place where you'd be mostly likely to find one of these rogue avalanches, so always be prepared with an exit strategy if you trigger an avalanche. 

    (1/28/2023)

    A small pocket of reactive snow near ridgeline on 1/28 in the neighboring Snoqualmie Pass zone. Use small test slopes as you travel to check for cracking and unstable drifts.

    Photo: Brooke Maushund

Avalanche Discussion

Low-density snow still exists despite the wind we've been seeing the last couple days. Your biggest problem you might encounter is triggering dry loose avalanches as you enter steep, shady slopes. Steep south-facing terrain may have a crust on the surface from previous sun. It'll be pretty chilly on Sunday despite the sun, so south-facing terrain may soften only a little.  Snow surfaces vary from firm and wind-affected, to sun crusts, to powder. 

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