West Slopes North

As new snow accumulates through the day, the likelihood of triggering avalanches in freshly wind-drifted snow will increase. Snowlines will gradually fall, but this problem will mainly affect upper elevations, possibly expanding into mid elevations later.

Look for smooth, rounded drifts or firm, textured snow on the leeward sides of ridges, in gullies, and around terrain features. Avoid steep slopes where these deposits are present, especially if you notice cracking or recent small avalanches. Even small slides could have serious consequences in steep or confined terrain—and on large, smooth slopes, they may step down into a deeper, more dangerous avalanche.

Our persistent slab problem varies widely across the zone. Some well-traveled areas have seen little to no avalanche activity, while others have produced natural, remote, and human-triggered avalanches. Many recent avalanches are failing near a thin mid-February crust buried under roughly two feet of snow in most areas and up to four feet in the Baker backcountry. Buried surface hoar has also been identified, with most larger avalanches occurring on northerly aspects.

Classic warning signs like collapses, whumphing, and shooting cracks are strong indicators of instability, though deeper weak layers may produce few clues. Uncertainty increases in less-traveled terrain, so consider checking for weak snow above crusts before committing to large slopes. Choosing lower-angle, less wind-loaded terrain remains the simplest way to reduce risk.

Precipitation will begin with a relatively high snowline, bringing rain to most mid and lower elevations through the day. South-facing slopes have already been warm and wet, so additional avalanche activity there is unlikely. Shadier slopes, however, may be getting wet for the first time, where wet loose avalanches could occur.

Many exposed areas of dry snow have firm, wind-affected surfaces that are less likely to produce wet avalanches. But in previously sheltered terrain still holding soft, low-density snow, rain may quickly create wet, sticky surface snow capable of sliding—starting as rollerballs and possibly small wet loose avalanches. If you see signs of wet activity, avoid similar steep slopes nearby.