West Slopes North

A final day of calm weather will precede stormy conditions and elevated avalanche danger later this weekend. Continue to identify hazards and follow standard travel protocols in avalanche terrain. Expect challenging travel on firm snow surfaces.  

Saturday marks the 8th and final day with no precipitation as high pressure dominating the region shifts east and makes way for wetter conditions. 

While there has been no reported avalanche activity in the West North last week, observers have noted a variety of weak snow surfaces across the Cascades including faceted grain layers above or sandwiched between firm crusts. Avalanche danger in the coming days will depend on the reactivity and distribution of these layers combined with new snow amounts, wind loading, and other factors.

Don’t let down your guard when it comes to general mountain hazards and isolated avalanche danger. Keep an eye on what is overhead (glide cracks and cornices) and anticipate the consequences of low likelihood hazards. Though a large avalanche would be considered surprising during periods of Low, they still occur and cause accidents when triggered with large loads or in terrain with serious consequences of being caught.

Increasing winds and clouds combined with falling freezing levels will diminish the chance of finding softer snow in sun-warmed terrain on Saturday. Precipitation will start as snow near treeline that evening.