Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Only a few inches are forecast, but strong winds should drift surface snow and keep conditions dangerous at upper elevations. Watch for blowing snow, fresh cornices, rounded pillows, cracking, and stiff, hollow slabs. Avoid steep slopes actively loading with wind-drifted snow. Conditions may be more dangerous near Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass—check those forecasts if traveling near those areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong alpine winds will continue for another day before yielding to high pressure and calmer weather over the weekend. Not much new snow is forecast for Friday, but existing wind slabs and the potential for more should keep you on guard. In exposed alpine terrain, slabs may grow quickly during sustained wind loading. Natural avalanches are possible, especially where older weak layers persist deeper in the snowpack.

    Track new snow depth and stiffness as you gain elevation and move between aspects, and use test slopes to evaluate how well new snow layers are bonding. The simplest way to reduce risk is to avoid travel on or directly under steep slopes showing signs of recent wind loading.

    (2/26/2026)

    Blowing snow, textured surfaces, rime, and drifts make it easy to locate wind loaded slopes. 

    Photo: Dallas Glass

Avalanche Discussion

Persistent weak layers are a concern in zones surrounding West Central. Buried facets or surface hoar may still exist below the recent storm snow, and earlier this week, avalanches in neighboring areas likely involved persistent grains. However, we have little to no direct information from West Central right now. Without observations, it’s hard to say how widespread or reactive any persistent weak layers may be. If you’re traveling in this zone—especially in thinner snowpack areas closer to the Cascade Crest—be prepared for uncertainty and to do your own snowpack assessment. 

Recent observations from neighboring zones point to variable snowpack surrounding West Central. In West North, observers found easy-to-trigger soft slabs within the most recent foot of snow, along with pronounced wind scouring and transport in exposed terrain. At Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie, strong westerly winds have drifted 7–10 inches of recent snow over weak faceted layers and buried surface hoar. Natural, explosive, and human-triggered avalanches have occurred this week, primarily in wind-loaded terrain, with some slides stepping down to deeper crust and facet combinations. Whumpfing and collapses have also been reported at Stevens, highlighting a fragile upper snowpack structure. Although avalanche activity has recently slowed at Snoqualmie Pass, persistent weak layers remain in place and could produce surprising results. Overall, conditions around West Central suggest ongoing wind loading and a snowpack that may remain sensitive where recent snow overlies buried weak layers.

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