Avalanche forecast

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

Snow surfaces will probably freeze overnight, but expect them to soften quickly on sunny slopes. Head to shady aspects when snow gets wet enough to begin rolling down. Keep alert for isolated pockets of wind slabs which you might still find at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Saturday is forecasted to be warmer than previous days this week, so expect the range of wet loose avalanches to slightly increase. Avalanches may shift a little further into areas of what were cold and dry before. South facing snow that has transitioned to spring conditions will hopefully freeze overnight. When the snow gets slushy and you begin sinking in more than a few inches, or punching through what was once a supportable crust, retreat to colder snow. Wet loose avalanches may occur naturally in slushy spring snow, or in dampened, previously dry snow. You could also trigger them on steep slopes when they get wet. As cloud cover and wind increases there is a possibility that avalanche activity may decrease.

    Example photo of loose wet avalanches crossing common travel routes on the south side of Table Mountain

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You may still find reactive wind slabs in isolated pockets on upper elevation northerly slopes. Be on the lookout for wind loaded areas in gullies, around features, or beneath cliff bands. Slab avalanches occurred during and just after the storm earlier this week. Amount and likelihood of avalanches has since decreased, but is still present. A large wind slab avalanche surprised backcountry users in the Olympics on Friday, covering their skintrack several hundred feet downslope. The Olympics received similar amounts of snow and wind to us in the West North lately. If you’re travelling in just the right area you may find a reactive wind slab as well. Seek out terrain less than 35 degrees where you find evidence of wind drifted snow. Large cornices may fall with Saturday’s warm temperatures, which could trigger large slab avalanches on the slopes beneath them. Avoid terrain beneath corniced ridgelines while temperatures are so warm.

    (3/12/2021) A snowboarder triggered a large avalanche in Klahanie Bowl (Olympics) on a N aspect around 6000' (run locally know as Holy Roller). The snowboarder was not caught or injured. This large slide ran over 1500' vertical feet covering skin tracks from earlier. The crown was estimated at 2 or more feet deep. SS-ASu-D2+.

Avalanche Discussion

Several days of warming are culminating Saturday when freezing levels are forecasted to reach 7000ft. Much of the snow on the southern half of the compass has transitioned to spring conditions on the surface. Mid to upper elevation north slopes continue to hold onto winter, with light dry powder and wind slab avalanche problems are still present. Check out THIS observation from Thursday where both wind slab and wet loose avalanches were found. A small storm is forecasted late Sunday which might change the groundhog day conditions as of late.

Deep persistent slab avalanches are dormant and unlikely, but the snowpack structure can still be found throughout the region. The Mid-January PWL is now 10+ft below the snow surface and continues to gain strength. The last deep slab avalanches in the area occurred several weeks ago. Major warming events later in spring and summer could reawaken this lurking beast. Keep in mind the consequences of these massive avalanches, which would most likely occur right now if a large cornice broke, landing on a broad steep upper elevation slope beneath.

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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