Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Don't linger under cornices or on steep slopes with unsupportive wet snow. Sun, warm temperatures, and a lack of freeze will maintain heightened avalanche danger. Large cornices loom over many slopes and could fall as they get warmed during the day. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Don't travel on or linger under overhung cornices. They typically fall with warming, and can do so without obvious signs of the danger. If you see or hear cornices falling, take extra care to avoid being under others. They're currently big enough to kill you on their own, but they could also trigger a larger avalanche. 

    (1/14/2026)

    A deep crown in wind-loaded terrain from a natural avalanche cycle on Jan 12th. Also note the large cornices that still loom. Hairpin Valley, NE, 7,400ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Loose Wet

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

    You may still be able to trigger wet loose avalanches where you find unsupportive, wet surfaces. If you see rollerballs or fresh, wet avalanches, move to lower-angle or more shaded terrain. We're uncertain where you can encounter these avalanches, but they may occur on sun-exposed slopes below 5,000ft. Above that elevation, observers report a thick surface crust and difficult travel conditions.

    (1/14/2026)

    Loose wet avalanches, broken cornices, and wind features. Hinkhouse Peak. S, 7,400ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

There is a chance of very light rain on Tuesday morning, but the trend will be toward drier and, unfortunately, warmer weather. High, thin clouds may slightly reduce solar input, but even those clouds will be on their way out by Tuesday evening. 

About .8" of rain was recorded at Washington Pass since the 12th. Observers reported a widespread natural wet avalanche cycle with many large avalanches and notable debris from falling cornices. Many of the slides were slab avalanches, likely running on existing storm interfaces from prior to the 12th.

Prior to the rain event on the 12th, observers reported avalanches and signs of instability in wind-loaded terrain that involved some or all (2ft) of the recent storm snow, and even breaking on the New Year's (1/1) crust. Even though the rain stopped, warming can still affect these layers, creating dangerous wet-slab conditions. Wet slab activity tends to be delayed, but the timing is very hard to forecast. If they occur at all, the tipping point may be continued warming and sun could be on Wednesday.

There are a few other notable crusts in the mid and lower snowpack. But we don't expect them to be an issue for avalanches during this rain and warming event. 

Regions covered