Avalanche forecast

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Monitor snow surfaces as they thaw throughout the day. You may be able to trigger small wet avalanches on sunny slopes by afternoon. If you venture into the alpine, look and feel for lingering pockets of wind drifted snow before committing to steeper terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    At mid and upper elevations, 2-6in of dry, soft snow may still exist at the surface. As the sun heats up this recent snow on E-S-W aspects, there is a chance for additional rollerballs and small natural avalanches. While these slides should stay small, remember that even a little avalanche can be consequential if you get pushed over a cliff or into a creek. Since this recent snow often rests on a thin crust, some of these small slides may run far distances. Pay attention to the terrain above you and don’t linger underneath steep slopes basking in the sunshine. 

    (3/4/2022)

    Natural loose wet avalanches originating on steep rocky terrain. (3/4/22, SW, 4200, LW-N-R1-D1.5-S)

    Photo: Andy Harrington

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    You may still encounter shallow slabs of wind drifted snow above 7500ft on the volcanoes. On Friday an NWAC observer found shallow wind slabs in some unusual areas above Panorama Point on Mt Rainier. Similar conditions likely exist on Mt St Helens and Mt Adams. Look for wind textured surfaces to help anticipate loaded slopes, and steer around firm pillow-like drifts in steep terrain.

    (3/4/2022)

    Wind textured snow above treeline on Mt Rainier. Small pockets of wind loaded snow were found nearby. 

    Photo: Robin Pendry

Avalanche Discussion

Friday and Saturday each brought more clouds than expected, and a wet loose cycle has been slow to run its course. Areas around the West South zone picked up 2-6 inches of snow March 2-3 near and above treeline. This snow generally sits over a growing melt-freeze crust. We expect any avalanche concerns to stay near or above this layer. Below the surface, the snowpack tells the tale of this past week’s atmospheric river. Sites around the zone received 5-7.5 inches of precipitation, 4-5 inches of which fell as rain near treeline (Feb 27-Mar 1). Not surprisingly the upper snowpack is a mix of firm crusts, wet large grain snow, and small dry rounds. 

You don’t need to look far to see evidence of the wet and wild storm from earlier in the week. Debris piles can be seen on many slopes at mid and upper elevations. Avalanches have been reported from near Mt Rainier, Crystal Mt, White Pass, and Mt St Helens. The rain reached well into our above treeline terrain (rain line ~7500ft) and formed bumpy runnels on the surface. As a result, you may encounter frozen debris, open creeks, breakable crusts, uneven surfaces, icy slopes, and wet punchy snow as you travel. Give yourself extra time to manage these potentially challenging travel conditions.

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