Avalanche forecast

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger large wind slab avalanches that could bury, injure or kill you.  Notice as snow becomes wind affected, with textured surfaces or a firmer feel, more likely at higher elevations. Avoid slopes greater than 35 degrees, especially if wind slabs are present, and consider avoiding the runouts beneath large steep slopes as well.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Several very large slab avalanches failed in the West Central zone at the beginning of the week (check out the photos below). On Thursday avalanches hit Highway 20 in the West North zone past milepost 120, not far from us in the West Central zone. This occurred during the height of the storm, but there is a lot of uncertainty around recent avalanches, so continue to exercise caution in steep terrain and in runouts of large avalanche paths.  

    There are a number of interfaces which slab avalanches could fail on, such as on sun crusts on steep southerly slopes, or graupel reported in some areas. You may find some avalanches failing in snow that more closely resembles storm slabs. Slabs  could be 6 inches to several feet thick. Previously, strong winds redistributed snow into touchy slabs. These will most likely fail in gullies, beneath rock bands, below cornices (which are getting very large) and under ridgelines. Your added weight makes an avalanche occurring on these steep slopes likely. Search for pillow-like drifted snow deposits and feel for stiffer snow as you travel, and avoid these areas on steep slopes. Dig down a couple feet and investigate whether any layers fail easily.  Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees, especially in wind loaded areas. 

    This small slab avalanche failed naturally, probably on Friday, in the West North zone. D1, 1ft failure depth, north facing. The tracks are from 2/27. Photo: Adam U

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    Maintain awareness of deep persistent slabs, as neighboring zones continue to report intermittent very large avalanches failing on this layer. They are continuing to catch everyone off guard. Chances that you will trigger an avalanche on this layer are unlikely, however an avalanche occurring is not out of the question. Keep this in mind, especially when you approach the runouts of large avalanche paths, even in below treeline areas, as start zones are loaded with thick snow. Continue to stay out of steep mid to upper elevation start zones as well.

    (2/24/2021) These very large avalanche debris piles crossed the Monte Cristo Trail. Be very careful if you enter large avalanche paths, even at the bottom of a slope way down in the valley.

Avalanche Discussion

Conditions are varying extensively throughout the West Central zone right now, and observations are limited. Several very large avalanches occurred in the avalanche cycle at the beginning of the week (2/21-22), and others may have occurred in the last few days, possibly as deep as the earlier ones. Make sure to do your homework with properly investigating a slope before jumping onto something steep. As we’ve just received a lot of snow and wind, continue to exercise caution as you travel around avalanche terrain in the backcountry. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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