Bollettino valanghe

West Slopes North

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

Dangerous avalanche conditions persist with continued snowfall and strong winds. Stick to lower-angle, sheltered slopes. Deep new snow raises the risk of snow immersion accidents—keep partners in sight and be prepared to respond.

If you observe strong winds, blowing snow, or widespread avalanche activity, assume HIGH danger and avoid all avalanche terrain.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2–3

    The greatest danger on Thursday will occur during periods of intense loading on wind-exposed slopes. Not every peak and ridgeline will see strong westerly winds, but areas that do are likely to produce natural avalanches. Areas like Schriebers and Canyon Creek should see the strongest winds and the most blowing snow.

    Avoid travel on or below steep slopes where wind is actively drifting snow, including large slopes well above you. This is not a day to probe around wind-loaded terrain looking for a workaround—step back early and avoid steep slopes or big terrain overhead

    .

    Blowing snow = no go on Thursday.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    The new snow layers are slowly gaining strength, but continued snowfall means human-triggered slab avalanches remain likely. In areas with little or no slab at the surface, expect loose dry avalanches large enough to knock you off your feet or push you into terrain traps.

    Use test slopes and simple observations to assess how well the new snow is bonding before considering any avalanche terrain. Shooting cracks and recent avalanche activity are red flags to dial terrain back to lower-angle slopes. When in doubt, choose the more conservative option and avoid slopes with terrain traps in the runout below.

    (1/7/2026)

    Small natural avalanche on a gully wall in  Swift Creek. Likely released sometime Wednesday morning. Northeast aspect at roughly 4600 feet.

    Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mountain Rescue

Avalanche Discussion

Backcountry observations have been limited, likely due to touchy conditions and good in-bounds riding. An observer in the Baker Backcountry reported several recent natural avalanches in sheltered terrain around Swift Creek. These likely released sometime Wednesday morning. They appeared relatively shallow and did not entrain the full depth of storm snow, though crowns from larger natural avalanches were also observed. Avalanche control work produced numerous avalanches up to D2 in size, with a few larger releases reported as well. Deep light snow and no recent avalanche activity were reported from Schriebers.

West North picked up another round of snow overnight and through much of Wednesday. While snowfall and winds were expected to taper off in the morning, conditions were the opposite: moderate to strong southerly winds brought an additional 6–12 inches of new snow. Heather Meadows has now received more than 40 inches of snow since rain transitioned to snow on January 3.

Multiple layer interfaces within the storm snow are likely contributing to recent avalanche activity. The most notable has been where denser four-finger snow rests on softer, fist-hard snow above the January 3 crust. No avalanches were reported to have released directly on the crust itself.

Regioni coperte