Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It will be yet another stormy day in the mountains, and human-triggered avalanches that can kill you are likely. This is a good day to stick to lower-angle terrain, and if you see any recent natural avalanches, avoid travel beneath large steep slopes as well. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Rising temperatures, increasing winds, and continued snowfall will make the snowpack more dangerous as the day goes on. Avalanches will be larger and more reactive in wind-drifted areas. However, increasing temperatures will create heavier snow over lighter snow on non wind-loaded slopes, so even those will be unstable.

    Identify an upside-down snowpack by feeling for a denser surface over softer snow beneath, whether on skis, a board, on foot, or with poles. There may be a crust below the last few days' snow that newer layers could slide easily on. Pay close attention to red flags like shooting cracks, whumphing, or recent avalanches—clear signs to stick to lower-angle terrain. Even without obvious clues, this is not a day to push into steep, high-consequence backcountry terrain.

    Example photo: Human triggered slab avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible on Thursday. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    As freezing levels rise in the afternoon, rollerballs and wet loose avalanches will increase in frequency and gradually climb in elevation. Rain is expected to reach into mid elevations as conditions change through the day.

    Continuously monitor the snow surface for signs of warming. Moist, clumpy snow, increasing tree bombs, or the appearance of rollerballs on steep slopes are clear cues to avoid similar terrain and steer toward lower-angle options.

    Example photo: Rollerballs are indicators that wet loose avalanches could follow. They initiate the easiest around rocks, in steep gullies, and from trees or tree bombs. 

Avalanche Discussion

We'll receive about 8-10 inches of snow during the day on Thursday. We haven't had much of a reprieve from the wild weather lately, so if you do manage to get out, be sure to closely evaluate the snowpack as you travel. Conditions will change slope to slope and as you gain elevation. There is significantly more snow- and differences in the layers- as you make your way towards the upper elevation band. 

Snowlines are dropping, allowing us access snow easier in the zone. This is very exciting, but due to the damaging effects of recent storms, information is very limited. The season is just beginning, and we still have the whole winter ahead of us. Ease into the backcountry, choosing gentler terrain until we have a better handle on conditions and a longer break from storms. 

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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