Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could be surprised by triggering a slab avalanche in the new snow at upper elevations, where the layer is still settling out from the foot + we received Friday night. Expect to find more reactive, possibly wind-affected slabs to avoid at higher elevations and along ridgelines, but large slopes on steep terrain especially with terrain traps should be avoided. We may see enough sun that wet loose avalanches could run in the new snow on the southerly half of the compass. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    We expect a slow and steady improvement in stability looking into Sunday, but especially in steep, high-consequence terrain it's possible that you could still trigger a dangerous slab avalanche. Start on small slopes and investigate the bonding in the new snow layers above the crust before traveling into larger terrain. Some upper elevation areas may be slightly wind-affected, and slopes could be more reactive.  Most areas appeared to have very little wind-affect on Saturday and forecasts are showing minimal winds through Sunday.  

    Areas of your largest concern lie on high-consequence slopes. These could be large, unsupported slopes, or ones with gullies, sparse trees, or rocks,  which could make even a small ride very dangerous. Avoid these locations on slopes steeper than 35° on Sunday, or any other steep slopes where you identify any signs of weakness or have any doubt. 

    (3/24/2023)

    Widespread D1 soft slab avalanches occurred 3/24 just north of the West Central border in the West North zone on, failing 12-20" deep. 

    Photo: Jim Pasta - Public Obs

  • Loose Wet

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

    The sun could poke out for a little while on Sunday, and this time of year it doesn't take much for wet loose avalanches to start running. Pay attention to sky cover and maintain awareness of snow surfaces beneath you. If snow starts getting sticky and moist, and if you notice rollerballs running from steep slopes, wet loose avalanches could follow.

    Tree bombs or cliffy areas are where you're most likely to see them for starters. This may happen on all aspects at lower elevations, but probably just the southern half of the compass higher up if we do see a bit more sun. Avoid steep slopes in areas where you encounter moist snow and start getting an abundance of rollerballs. 

    (2/4/2023)

    Small and medium wet loose avalanches could occur in the surface layer, similar to this one, on Sunday, if the sun comes out. 

    Photo: Ian Nicholson

Avalanche Discussion

In most lower elevation areas and the southerly half of the compass a crust exists from the recent high pressure, which slabs could easily slide on. Snow could also slide on shallower layers within the new snow as well. On upper elevation direct northerly slopes a weak layer formed during the high pressure, beneath the new snow layer. This is probably around 2 feet deep, and is probably the only area you won't find an obvious crust beneath the new snow. Slab avalanches could be more reactive in these locations. 

In the last week we saw intense springlike high pressure with warm weather for the first time this year, and several days of wet loose avalanches limited to the southern half of the compass. An occasional glide avalanche occurred as well.  On Friday we switched back to winter and we began getting cold dry snow, and we've seen 1 1/2 to 2 feet of since then, and even more further south in the zone. We've entered a lull for the next couple days. On south-facing slopes this snow is settling quickly and has already gotten a bit "manky". North-facing terrain should hold onto the powder for a few more days. 

Regions covered