Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Triggering avalanches is still possible in wind drifted snow at upper elevations.Identify and avoid steep terrain where you find denser slabs sitting on softer snow below. Below treeline areas are accumulating enough snowpack to allow for avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A new crop of wind slabs will build Tuesday night in some above treeline areas. Wind slabs may be more pronounced in the northern end of the West Central where wind speeds could be higher. You are most likely to trigger a wind slab in steep terrain features that collect wind-drifted snow. This might include below ridgeline on leeward slopes, on gully walls, and around cliffs and rock outcroppings. Look for changes in snow consistency and use visual clues like cornices and wind-scoured ridgelines to identify areas of wind slab. 

    Last weekend’s storms left us with a gift of plentiful deep, light snow. The downside is that same snow is very easy for the wind to transport into fresh wind slabs - and there is plenty of snow to go around. The question on Tuesday morning is how widespread, how deep and how reactive are the new slabs. Use quick tests like hand shears, test slopes and simply stomping on small wind-drifted features to evaluate wind slab as you travel. 

    Drifts covering the skin track a few hours later are a sign that wind is drifting snow. Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Observers in the West Central today found a snowpack of 4-6’ at 4600’ on both north and south aspects. No recently formed wind slabs were observed near treeline and older wind slabs were found to be unreactive. Observed natrual avalanche activity was limited to a few loose snow avalanches initiating in very steep terrain features like rock faces. Observations above treeline were limited by poor visibility. No observations have been submitted from other areas of the West Central.

The last week brought a significant increase in snowpack that now allows for easier travel with snow down to valley bottom in many areas.  The new snow in wind sheltered terrain around the Mt. Loop and in the West North has been repeatedly observed to be well bonded both within the storm layers and to the old snow surface.  No avalanches in deeper new snow layers and/or involving either the December 8th or late November rain crusts have been reported. Relevant to the southern end of West Central is observers around Stevens Pass have noted sudden failures on a crust about 3ft down.  

Regions covered