Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Snowfall and strong winds will increase avalanche hazard at mid and upper elevations, especially where wind transports new snow into thicker slabs that are easier to trigger. Stick to simpler, wind sheltered terrain with less exposure to avalanches and better visibility.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    There is nothing especially remarkable about the coming storm:  6-12” of new snow falling at slowly cooling temperatures and with the usual strong winds. But then again there is nothing unremarkable about conditions that increase the avalanche hazard overnight.

    Start your day with a conservative plan. Observe the new snow depth as you travel upwards. Evaluate the bond of new snow layers, especially to the firm crust below. Slab or loose snow avalanches could also run faster and farther on this crust than expected.

    Identify and use greater caution around steep terrain where the wind creates thicker slabs. Blowing snow should point the way to wind loaded slopes during the storm. Afterward, you will need to use wind affected snow surfaces and other clues to find loaded terrain.

     

    Typical storm slab avalanche in slightly wind loaded terrain.

    Photo: Jeff Hambleton

Avalanche Discussion

The likelihood of lingering wet avalanche activity should further diminish with cooler temperatures and less free water wreaking havoc on the snowpack. Still, look out for and reduce exposure to glide cracks and hanging slabs in steep rocky terrain above.  Gide cracks were reported as growing wider on Sunday in neighboring zones.

NWAC forecasters visited the southern Mountain Loop on Saturday to take stock of the damage from heavy rain on January 12-13. They found that surfaces are starting to firm up as temperatures cool and the snowpack drains. A ski-supportable melt-freeze crust was found up to 5000’ in elevation. Avalanche concerns were limited to lingering glide avalanches and falling cornices. They also noted several large (D2) wet avalanches had occurred during the rain event.

Non-avalanche hazards include wet, punchy snow, crusts, swollen creeks, rain runnels, exposed natural hazards, and frozen avalanche debris. All could be difficult to navigate in poor visibility or barely covered by new snow.

If you’re out and about, please send us some pictures of what you’re seeing by submitting an observation.

Regions covered