Bulletin d’avalanche

West Slopes South

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Thu
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 7 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Your chances of triggering an avalanche will increase with elevation gain, and as the day gets late. Most areas will present very little avalanche danger, except for the volcanoes, where small wind slabs may grow on leeward facing terrain. It's time to turn your avalanche mindset back on, active weather has returned. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

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

    For much of the West South, it might be difficult just to find an unstable wind slab out there. This won't necessarily be true for the middle and upper elevations on the volcanoes where more snowfall is expected, falling onto firm, and slick snow surfaces. Small wind pillows, and slabs will grow as snowfall continues, and the wind cranks up a notch. Even a small avalanche can push you off your feet, and into consequential terrain, especially when the bed surfaces are predominantly icy.

    Fortunately, freshly wind loaded features should pop out in contrast to the beat up surrounding old snow. Look for lens shaped, fresh snow surfaces, with dense wind compacted snow on top. Sharp wind lips and cornices will point you in the direction of loaded slopes.

    (1/10/2026)

    Wind textured surfaces on a fat pillow-like wind slab. 

    Photo: Sam Clairmont

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall is finally back in the forecast! All of Washington has endured an exceptionally long stretch of dry weather, with the most recent precipitation in the West South recorded on January 12th. As a result, most areas are dealing with very firm, beat-up snow surfaces and a noticeable loss of snow depth.

Wednesday will bring the first round of snowfall, likely just a few inches for most locations. Areas around the volcanoes could see higher totals, potentially double the rest of the zone, along with a corresponding increase in avalanche danger. The range of precipitation is quite large across the West South, leaving room for some uncertainty. So with that, it’s best to stick to the basics: new snow combined with wind often produces wind-loaded slopes. If you notice snowfall rates increasing or see active wind transporting snow, watch for pockets of unstable snow.

As snowfall continues, many areas that were previously bare rock or dirt may become hidden just beneath the new snow. Take it easy out there, its doubtful this new snow will adequately cover any previously exposed obstacles. 

During the dry weather, signs of weakening snow structure had been reported in the West South. Most notably, faceting snow has been found beneath a thin surface crust in some areas. This will not affect the avalanche danger right now, but it could be an issue with more significant snowfall.

Régions couvertes