Bulletin d’avalanche

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Wed
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 5 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

After last week's rain, this storm shouldn't have too much impact on the avalanche danger. However, it’s still bringing plenty of water to the mountains. Be leery of steep open slopes near and above the rain-snow line.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    At the highest parts of our forecast area, heavy snow and strong winds could combine to form fresh slabs on the lee side of ridges and gullies. You may not find much in the way of wind slabs to start the day, but as the storm rages on, this hazard should grow. Some of these avalanches could trigger easily and run quickly on an underlying firm crust. It won’t be hard to figure out local wind patterns and which slopes may be loaded. Pay attention to the blowing snow hitting you in the face, and take note of where it’s landing. These will be the steep wind loaded features you want to avoid. By the end of the day, some of these slabs could become large and dangerous.

    (2/26/2026)

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

    Photo: Dallas Glass

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–1.5

    With so much rain, wet avalanches could take a variety of forms. 

    Near the rain line, wet heavy snow that accumulates in the morning will probably produce piles of new rollerballs and maybe a few small point release slides. Most of these avalanches should be tiny, but they could become larger in places that receive more snow and on long, sustained slopes. 

    As more rain falls, the old firm surface could break down. This might allow you to push a pile of wet snow on very steep slopes. While not common, these thick, heavy slides could drag you off a cliff or into a creek. 

    Most of the shed-style avalanches that could occur released during last week’s rain event. However, a few blocks of snow still loom along ridges, cling to rocky faces, and hover along the margins of old avalanches. Maybe this rain will cause them to finally fall. Even though these natural avalanches would be isolated, pay attention to what’s above you and don’t linger under these types of slopes.

    (2/11/2024)

    Example: Rain caused these rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches coming out of steep rocky terrain.

    Photo: Andy Harrington

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday’s weather doesn’t look pretty. Middle and upper elevations could stack up a few inches of snow first thing in the morning, but don’t expect it to last. Warming temperatures should drive rain near the top of our forecast area. Fortunately, after last week’s rain, the snowpack has generally transitioned to large melt-form grains that should handle the water with ease. Additionally, a very stout, thick crust caps the surface across the zone. It’s hard to imagine this layer fully breaking down, and it should keep the old snowpack generally locked up. 

Not surprisingly, the recent warm, rainy weather didn’t help snow coverage. Large patches of bare ground, open creeks, random holes, and downed debris are common. Even where there is snow, the surface is often firm and irregular. By the afternoon, it could be wet and punchy. Take your time. Travel hazards could be the biggest issue on Tuesday.

Régions couvertes