Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions continue on Thursday, as the snowpack adjusts to the heavy load of rain and snow. There may be a slowdown in snowfall, but avalanches are still very likely on any steep slope, especially areas with cumulative wind loading. Keep it simple, stick to lower-angle terrain, and avoid traveling in areas beneath steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    A stream of moisture continues to slam the West South zone overnight into Thursday. Avalanches could occur on any steep slope where new snow or wind-loaded snow has accumulated. These slides could be large to very large, especially in areas of combined wind loading. Wind speeds will continue to crank on Thursday, furthering the development of drifts and slabs on leeward slopes. With such strong speeds, loading may occur in unusual locations, such as mid-slope, between trees, or well below cliff bands.

    If triggered, any release could reach as low as the 3/8 crust, which is now a few feet down. Reports on Wednesday indicated the snowpack turned "upside down", with denser snow overlaying light snow from earlier in the week. As we continue to tack on snow overnight into Thursday, we expect a widespread natural avalanche cycle to occur.

    On Thursday, as precipitation slows down, you may see less natural avalanche activity, but don't let that sway you to think the slopes are safe. Human-triggered avalanches are still very likely. Keep it simple, stick to lower-angle terrain on Thursday, and avoid traveling beneath steep slopes.

    (2/25/2026)

    A very large (D3) avalanche at Crystal Mountain on 2.24

    This avalanche was a persistent slab, but larger avalanches like this aren't out of the question on Thursday.

    Photo: Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday was a stormy day across the West South Zone! Precipitation began late Tuesday afternoon and hasn't stopped since. As of 6 pm on Wednesday, here are the rough 24-hour totals: 12" at Crystal Mountain, 19" at Paradise, 16" at White Pass. As snow levels climbed, the snow turned denser through the lower and middle elevations, resulting in a "upside down" snow structure. Observers around the Crystal Mountain backcountry reported an increasingly reactive snowpack as the day progressed. Small, remotely triggered avalanches failed down to the 3/8 crust, along with notable cracking in the new snow. Crystal Mountain Pro Patrol also triggered a few large avalanches while doing control work. Further south, White Pass Pro Patrol found multiple small natural storm slab avalanches, failing in steep, unsupported terrain.

This winter has been pretty slow in terms of snowfall and coverage.  This system will likely greatly improve the overall conditions across the West South, and we're all excited to get out there and play in it. But as fun as it sounds, it's just not the time for the steep stuff. Right now, the snowpack is undergoing a big shift with feet of snow being added in a short period of time.  We expect a natural avalanche cycle to occur sometime Wednesday night into Thursday. So if you're considering any nighttime camping or skiing/riding excursions, this is not the night for it. If you're headed out for some low-angle fun on Thursday, spend some time looking at a slope shade map, consider the steep terrain that surrounds the area, and assess whether a large avalanche could reach it. 

Peak intensity of the storm system is expected Wednesday night, along with the warmest temperatures. Mount Saint Helens is front and center, with potentially multiple feet of new snow yet to fall. By Thursday, there will be a slowdown in the precipitation, and snow levels will quickly drop back down to low elevations. 

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