Avalanche forecast

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Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

On Wednesday, lots of new snow and wind will make it easy to trigger avalanches on a variety of steep slopes.  Use small test slopes and quick snowpack tests to assess the new snow. Avoid steep slopes where the wind has deposited snow, and if you see fresh avalanches or tests that fail suddenly, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees even in wind-sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Heavy snow and strong winds are a recipe for dangerous avalanche conditions. In sheltered terrain, you could trigger storm slab avalanches 1-1.5 feet deep. The most dangerous terrain will be wind-loaded slopes near ridgelines and exposed locations, where avalanches will be larger and easier to trigger. Wind speeds will be strong overnight, though you may not see blowing snow during the day. Avoid steep terrain and convex rollovers, especially in wind-affected areas. Instead, stick to low-angle forested slopes as your safest option. At upper elevations and along steep ridgelines, natural avalanches could occur, so don't linger in the runouts of large overhead avalanche paths. 

    (1/6/2026)

    A small (D1) storm slab avalanche, intentionally triggered involving all of the new snow. Middle elevation, S, Cutthroat Creek 

    Photo: Adam Butterfield

Avalanche Discussion

After another stormy period, Tuesday night, snow and wind will taper on Wednesday. While conditions will remain dangerous, the danger will not increase as rapidly as on Tuesday. Temperatures will remain cold with low snow levels. Storm totals could reach 1.5 feet by Wednesday evening, especially as low-density snow accumulates with cooling temperatures. 

On Tuesday, observers in the Cutthroat Creek area reported 8 inches of new snow. They triggered a number of small (D1) avalanches on test slopes (both wind-exposed and sheltered) involving all of the new snow. Winds were strong near ridge tops and actively transporting snow.

Observers on Monday reported triggering small wind slabs near ridgelines. These avalanches were breaking on a storm interface buried 1-1.5' deep. Over the weekend, an observer found buried surface hoar in the Cutthroat drainage. We think this persistent weak layer is inconsistent and isolated. No matter where you are, it's worth sticking your shovel in the snow to see if it exists 1.5-2' below the snow surface.  An observer near Mt. Tiffany also reported whumpfing collapses earlier last week, a potential sign of buried, persistent weak layers. 

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