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West Slopes North - Canadian Border to Skagit River

Issued: 9:37 AM PST Tuesday, May 28, 2019
by Dennis D'Amico

Daily avalanche and mountain weather forecasts have ended for the 2018-19 season. 

Thanks to the many people who make the avalanche center a reality. It’s a remarkable community effort. From all of us, thank you for all your help, your donations, your observations, and your enthusiasm.

Please continue to support your avalanche community by posting to our public observation page.

Avalanches and avalanche accidents can occur on snow-covered mountains at any time of the year:

  • Terrain doesn’t get less complex or serious in the spring. Respect the mountains, maintain safe travel procedures, and keep your guard up.

  • If you see avalanches you can generally start an avalanche.

  • Spring weather can rapidly alter snow conditions and snow stability. Think about changes occurring over minutes and hours.

  • You can reduce potential exposure to avalanche hazard by traveling earlier in the day during periods of cold clear nights and warm sunny days.

  • Winter-like weather means winter-like avalanches. Expect the danger to increase during storms. Our mountains can receive snow any time of year. 

  • Strong sun on new snow generally results in periods of elevated avalanche danger.

Other Springtime Hazards:

  • Glide cracks. Don’t fall in them and don’t loiter beneath them.

  • Creeks are opening.

  • Snow bridges are weakening.

  • Cornices will sag and fail.

  • Seracs may collapse.

Be safe and have fun!

Contact and General Information

- Remember, the Weather Station data keeps chugging year-round even if we aren't. We do our best to respond to weather station outages during the shoulder and summer seasons. Some sensors are removed for the summer like 24 hr Snow Depth. 

- Check our archives if you are looking for archived avalanche forecasts or mountain weather forecasts.

- NWAC forecast staff will be intermittently available during the summer. Staff will return in the Fall. You can reach us at:

Email:  forecasters@nwac.us

Phone: 206-526-6165

Mail:   Northwest Avalanche Center
            7600 Sandpoint Way NE
            Seattle, Washington 98115