West Slopes North - Canadian Border to Skagit River
Summer and early Fall Travel Advice
Avalanches and avalanche accidents can occur in snow-covered mountains year-round.
Travel safe and have fun!
-
In terrain where snow remains year-round, choose terrain and travel practices that minimize your exposure to avalanches.
-
If you see recent avalanches, you may be able to trigger others.
-
Winter-like weather means winter-like avalanches. Expect an increased avalanche danger during or just after storms.
-
Read more on past PNW avalanche accidents here: https://www.nwac.us/accidents/accident-reports/
-
You can reduce your exposure to wet snow avalanches by traveling:
-
During periods of cold clear nights with solid overnight freezes
-
Earlier in the day when air temperatures are colder or on aspects not receiving direct sun
-
On slopes where the snow is frozen or drier snow remains
-
Other Summer/early Fall Hazards
-
Glide cracks. Don’t fall in them and don’t loiter beneath them.
-
Creeks are open.
-
Snow bridges are weakening.
-
Cornices will sag and fail.
-
Seracs may collapse.
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 or dennis.damico@nwac.us
Mail: Northwest Avalanche Center
7600 Sandpoint Way NE
Seattle, Washington 98115