Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You are most likely to trigger a slab avalanche at upper elevations where wind creates thicker, sensitive drifts. At lower elevations, don’t linger under cornices or cliffs holding snow that could shed with continued above-freezing temperatures.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Use visual clues like wind-scoured snow surfaces to figure out where wind slabs are lurking. Steer around smooth, pillowy, or fat-looking drifts on steep and convex slopes. Test slopes and hand pits can help gauge the reactivity of wind slabs or other wind-drifted features you find along the way. 

    Moderate alpine winds drifted snow and formed fresh slabs on Sunday. While most wind slabs were small, some were sensitive and produced shooting cracks and other signs of instability. Monday could bring more of the same. Wind slabs should primarily be an issue at upper elevations, but be on the lookout anywhere you find dry snow and wind strong enough to blow it around.

    A large, natural slab avalanche was observed in upper-elevation terrain that saw more extensive wind loading (photo) on the south side of Mt. Baker. Older slabs will become even more stubborn to trigger, while fresh ones are more likely to be reactive.

     

    (3/24/2024)

    Extensive wind transport and loading produce this wind slab avalanche at Schreibers/Baker NRA. South-southwest aspect at roughly 6000'.

    (HS-N-D1.5-S)

    Photo: Graham Clark

Avalanche Discussion

While clouds, falling temperatures, and increasing winds should limit further warming, the snow surface at mid and lower elevations is still wet and unsupportable. Natural wet loose avalanches are unlikely, but if you get on a steep slope and push hard enough with a sled, skis, or board, you can probably get some amount of wet snow moving with you down the hill.

Chunks of cornice, pockets of snow clinging to steep rock, and glide avalanches are still things to look out for. These dangers are easy to identify and avoid as long as you are aware of what is directly overhead. Shedding snow can also trigger wet loose avalanches.

An observer near the North Fork of the Sauk River noted widespread wind transport near ridgeline. They were able to produce shooting cracks on some test slopes but were not able to trigger any slabs. Wet loose avalanches running on a crust below the new snow were easy to trigger by midday.  Consistent snow cover began at about 4500'.

A number of natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches were reported from both Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass on Sunday. While none were especially large, one was big enough to catch and carry a person down the slope. No injuries were reported.

In West North, cold snow and good riding conditions were found at upper elevations, despite widespread wind transport from gusty north and east winds. Up to 6” of new snow from Saturday’s snowfall was found at 6000’, and minimal snow accumulation was noted at 4500’. 

Regions covered