Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

There is a very small chance that shallow wind deposits could avalanche with a human trigger at upper elevations. Any avalanches are probably not large enough to do you harm unless they take you off a cliff or dump you into a gully. Your larger concern is probably hard, variable surfaces on all south aspects and below about 4500ft.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    One to three inches of snow will fall late Monday into Tuesday morning with light to moderate winds. Small wind slabs could form at the upper reaches of near treeline and in above treeline areas. You will probably only encounter them in isolated areas and only a few inches thick. Upper elevation northerly slopes previously held low-density snow, and that snow may redistribute in the wind as well, contributing to slightly larger slabs. There is a chance they could slide easily on an underlying crust, making them run fast and far, despite their small size. 

    Any avalanches which you trigger are probably not large enough to bury or kill you, but think about the terrain you might end up in in the unlikely event of getting caught in a small slide. As always, if you see cracking or are able to push snow and make little pockets slide on small steep slopes, think about the consequences if you triggered an avalanche before stepping out onto a nearby large, steep slope. 

    Small wind slabs on the Shuksan Arm. Photo: Adam Ü

Avalanche Discussion

In non wind-loaded areas, you might find you can trigger small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain. There is also a slim chance that the sun will appear Tuesday afternoon, and a few tiny wet loose avalanches or rollerballs could run from steep south areas, especially around rocks. Neither of these loose snow avalanche concerns are expected to be enough of a problem to cause you harm, but if you notice them, stay alert to the consequences if you are involved with one.

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