Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Competing weather factors may push the avalanche danger higher than forecast Wednesday so be prepared to change course if you find unstable wet snow. If the snow becomes wet and heavy, you see rollerballs or natural wet snow avalanches occurring, it's time to move off of steep slopes and away from overhead hazard.   

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    It feels like the old will they, won't they, with regard to wet loose avalanche activity.  A relatively mild and cloudy overnight will limit a refreeze for snow surfaces that warmed on Tuesday.  However, it's unclear how quickly clouds will clear on Wednesday, and also if W-SW winds at upper elevations counteract the warming by keeping the snow surface cool and wet snow avalanches at bay.   

    You'll need to be on your toes - a mild, cloudy night followed by more sunshine and a warm day could have wet loose avalanches releasing, either human-triggered or natural, around much of the dial, with the highest likelihood on SE-S-W aspects.  With 6-12" of settled storm snow above the uppermost crust at mid and upper elevations, large wet loose avalanches aren't out of the question on large open slopes with a long run. 

    Look up - wet loose avalanches could release from above, especially from steep sunny slopes and below rock bands warming in the sun.  Cornices are large and overhung, until conditions cool, don't hang out below slopes with large cornices.  While a hazard in there own right, they can trigger avalanches on slopes below.  

    Lower elevations have less recent snow.  Use caution near terrain traps where even a small wet loose avalanche could knock you off your feet and lead to a poor outcome. 

    (1/14/2026)

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

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Despite breezy conditions, mild temperatures will shut down new wind slab formation heading into Wednesday.  Older wind slabs formed by recent SW winds may still linger below ridgelines and on steep lee slopes at higher elevations. 

    Check the bonding of wind-drifted snow to the old crust or snow below on test slopes before committing to more consequential terrain. You can avoid these avalanches by steering around drifts or sticking to wind-sheltered terrain.  Keep your distance from fresh cornices, as they can fall and trigger slides on the slopes below.  

    (1/30/2026)

    A natural slab avalanche on a leeward slope. Temperatures were warming, and this may've been triggered by cornice fall. Poster/Pica Peak, NE, 7,200ftSS-N-D1.5-I

     

Avalanche Discussion

On Monday, 8-12" of recent storm snow had improved travel and riding conditions at mid and upper elevations.  Observers in the Washington Pass area observed small loose dry avalanches in steep terrain, but found generally stable, dense storm snow.  Professionals in the Harts Pass area found shallow but reactive wind slabs in isolated areas, as well as ongoing drifting.  Temperatures warmed above freezing on Tuesday at all elevations, but it's unclear if cloudy conditions kept wet loose avalanche activity suppressed. 

Before this storm, weak snow and surface hoar were widespread at lower elevations, while upper elevations had a mixture of thick supportable crusts on sunny aspects and breakable crusts on shadier slopes. Weak layers may be preserved above or below the crust that was buried on January 28th. Some observations indicate that the recent snow didn't bond well to the crust. As you travel, track the bond at this recent interface by using quick hand pits, slope tests, and snowpack tests.

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