Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Any avalanche hazard you encounter should stay limited to the most recent few inches of snow. As the sun comes out Wednesday you may see piles of new rollerballs and small loose wet avalanches. When you see these clues, be leery of similar steep sunny slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    While some locations saw significant sunshine on Tuesday, low-level clouds hung around many areas, preventing the surface from becoming wet. On Wednesday, we’re expecting more sunshine. If this happens, some areas could see small natural loose wet avalanches. This is most likely in locations where the snow stayed cold and dry (mid-elevations). If the sun comes out expect to see piles of new rollerballs on steep sunny slopes. If this occurs, use caution around similar terrain where you might trigger a small loose wet avalanche. Fortunately, there isn’t much new snow and any slide you encounter should remain small. Don’t let one of these little avalanches catch you off guard and push you over a cliff or into a creek.

    (1/16/2022)

    Example: Wet loose avalanches on an east aspect near 6800ft on Hogback Mountain during a previous sunny period. 

    Photo: Public Observation

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The recent snow fell with moderate to strong winds that drifted the snow into small isolated slabs. Even though these possible avalanches should be localized and thin, you may still trigger them particularly on steep convex slopes, unsupported features, and underneath sharp cornices. Look for wind-textured snow and smooth pillow-like drifts to anticipate where these slabs could exist. Some of these pockets may have formed on crossroads mid-slope gullies and features.

    (2/6/2022)

    Example: Wind textured surfaces on Mt Adams.  

    Photo: Andrew Kiefer

Avalanche Discussion

This recent storm was rather unimpressive in the West South zone. However, there is just enough new snow to create a bit of avalanche hazard at mid and upper elevations. In general, most sites received 3-6” of new snow on Valentine's Day. This snow sits on a newly buried stout crust/interface.  While you may still find weak grains deeper in the snowpack (Late January Facets-Crusts) we don’t anticipate any avalanche issues below the surface snow. In the short term, this should make observing and tracking the snow above the Valentine's Crust quite quick and easy. 

The prolonged warm and sunny weather took its toll on the snowpack and formed a variety of surfaces. Firm icy slopes, rough crusts, and frozen wind featured snow were all reported prior to the storm. Shallow spots in the snowpack near ridges and cliffs melted back to bare ground. Similarly, trees, rocks, and creeks reemerged from the snow over the past few weeks. This recent storm won’t be enough to alter these variable conditions. As a result, the greatest challenge you face may come from navigating the variety of snow surfaces and shallowly buried obstacles.

Regions covered