Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 8 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

As you climb higher, mainly above where rain occurred on Christmas Eve, you could trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow, so search for thicker wind-drifted deposits around features or along ridges and avoid those drifts on steep slopes. You might still be able to trigger a wet avalanche at lower elevations. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Mainly above where rain fell on Wednesday, you could encounter snow surfaces that were highly affected by the wind on Christmas Eve. Although unlikely, overlap may exist with a wind slab you could trigger an avalanche on, yet the surface was affected by Wednesday's rain. Danger will increase as you climb higher, where more cold snow exists. 

    These wind-drifted pockets may not have had enough time to adjust yet, so it's possible that you can trigger an avalanche on them.  Identify actively drifting snow and avoid those areas on steep slopes. Expect higher danger as you climb into the upper elevation band, where we have very little information. 

    Drifts tend to form on the leeward side of ridges, around convex rolls and features, and in gullies. Search for "red-flag" signs of instability, such as recent avalanches, blowing snow, and cracks shooting through the snow. Steer around cornices and wind-loaded deposits on steep slopes so you can make it home for Christmas dinner. 

    (12/18/2025)

    Approaching a wind lip on a small feature resulted in extensive cracking. If this happens, avoid similar nearby wind-drifted slopes. 

    Photo: Irene Henninger

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1

    There was probably more initial wet avalanche activity on Wednesday, when it first rained on the cold, dry snowpack. Natural activity will slow by Thursday, especially as temperatures cool a little overnight. Lingering moist surfaces at the lower elevations, and possibly into the mid-elevations, may avalanche with a human trigger on Thursday. 

    If you step out onto steep slopes that have moist snow on them, you could probably push some rollerballs, if not a small avalanche downslope. Make sure you don't trigger one and then get ahead of it, so one catches up to you from behind. Pay attention to your surroundings if you are beneath or on steep slopes, so you can get out of the way if there are any wet avalanches. If snow is crusty or frozen, don't expect any wet activity. 

    Example photo: Recently wetted surface layers of previously cold, dry snow could slide, especially when you push snow from above. 

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

About 5 inches of water has fallen since our last significant crust, the 12/18 crust. Aside from wind drifted areas, the layer was relatively right-side up, and well bonded to the crust. On Christmas Eve, that changed at lower and mid elevations, where rain fell and a new crust will eventually form. There may be a little snow above it. Up high, wind gusts reached up to 60mph at Pan Dome by Mt Baker Ski Area. 

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

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