Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Lingering new storm snow instabilities exist in the 2-3ft of snow that exists above a solid crust. At upper elevations and where more wind-affected snow is present, avoid slopes steep slopes as it's likely that you can trigger a large avalanche in the new snow layer.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A natural slab avalanche cycle occurred at mid and upper elevations very early Saturday morning as the recent storm was tapering. Human triggered avalanches occurred Saturday in the Baker backcountry. Mt Baker Ski Area triggered several large and very large avalanches with explosives. These avalanches all failed within or at the bottom of the new snow layer. Some failed deeper in wind-loaded pockets. All these avalanches are occurring above the stout variable crust layers which makes up the entire bottom half of the snowpack.   It was noted that stability improved throughout the day. 

     Continue to exercise caution by avoiding slopes greater than 30°, especially at upper elevations. If you have any doubt, avoid large steep slopes at mid elevations as well.  Saturday, danger was near the top of the Considerable level, and Sunday it will be a little lower, but still within the Considerable range, when human triggered avalanches are likely.

    In wind loaded areas, avalanches may be a little larger and easier to trigger. It's probably the case that only the upper reaches of the lower elevation band have enough snow to produce an avalanche that could injure or bury you. 

    (1/6/2024)

    A human triggered avalanche in 5 Minute Trees in the Baker backcountry. SS-AS-D1. 10-18" crown, ran over a short bench and the skier cut out right near the crown. 

    Photo: Yulia Odushkin - USFS Backcountry Ranger Assistant

Avalanche Discussion

Steep south-facing slopes could have small amounts of wet loose avalanche activity if and when the sun peeks out on Sunday. Activity isn't expected to be very extensive, but if the sun starts shining intensely and you start seeing snow shedding off rocks or trees or sliding down steep southerly slopes, steer around nearby steep slopes. 

I snowmobiled into the Glacier Creek area on Saturday, and found minimally wind affected slopes in sheltered terrain up to 5000ft. I didn't see any instabilities in the new snow layer or at the new/old interface by the crust. There was about 2ft of snow above the crust at 5000ft. I didn't see avalanches. Riding was great but there were many large holes and exposed or thinly snow-covered trees reminding us that we had to ride very cautiously due to the thin snowpack. 

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