Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If you make it to upper elevations, freshly wind-drifted snow is probably the only place where you have a small chance of triggering an avalanche. If you identify any weaknesses in new drifts, or are in high-consequence terrain with cliffs, rocks, or trees below you, consider avoiding steep slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    If you can trigger any avalanches, it is probably in newly formed wind slabs at upper elevations. Upper elevations received a foot or more of snow in the last week. Depending on how far up you go, the snow will become increasingly dry. Any low-density snow will have recently been redistributed into wind slabs.

    Relatively warm temperatures mean any weaknesses will probably strengthen quickly, but there's a tiny chance you could still trigger a slab avalanche in a newly formed slab. Identify wind-loaded stiffer slabs in areas such as around features, along ridges or sub-ridges, and in gullies. If you have any doubts, avoid these wind slabs on steep slopes. 

    Example photo: A human triggered slab avalanche. Signs of wind loading are the scoured snow on the ridge just above the crown and the cornice in terrain above. An old rain crust is visible in the bed surface.  Northwest aspect at 5100'.

    Photo: NWAC Public Obs

Avalanche Discussion

You might be able to trigger very small wet loose avalanche at mid elevations where there is moist new snow. Wet loose activity may creep into the upper elevation band where there may be previously dry snow as freezing levels rise on Friday. Wet loose activity is unlikely, but keep on the lookout for any rollerballs or other wet snow activity. If you see any consider avoiding steep nearby slopes. 

We received another quarter inch of water early Thursday. Continuing with the usual trend, this fell as rain to above 5000' but added a couple inches of snow at upper elevations. Around 6 inches of snow, which, is mainly moist, sits over a crust at mid elevations. The snowpack is around 3 feet deep at 5000ft. At higher elevations there's closer to a foot of snow over the crust and the snow may be dry, depending on how high you are.  The lower elevation snowpack is dwindling, with patchy snow cover and variable moist snow. Beware of thin snow hazards at low and middle elevations like open creeks and exposed rocks and trees. 

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