Avalanche Danger Increases Out West

news image
Top Stories
26 Mar 2025 8:30 AM

NORTHWEST - Warmer air is forcing the rain/snow line (freezing level) in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Tier up to higher elevations. Rain and melting snow will increase the avalanche risk in the High Cascades, volcanoes, and mountains of British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana. These are sometimes referred to as 'wet avalanches'.


Forecast maximum daily freezing levels in the Cascades:

  • 3/26: 10,000ft

  • 3/27: 6,000ft

  • 3/28: 4,500ft

  • 3/29: 4,000ft

Forecast maximum daily freezing levels in NW Montana:

  • 3/26: 10,000ft

  • 3/27: 10,000ft

  • 3/28: 6,000ft

  • 3/29: 6,000ft


What Causes Avalanches?

Meteorologist Rob Bradley explains the dangers of avalanches:

Forecast Timeline

The next storm system arrives Wednesday afternoon and continues through Friday.

Forecast snowfall through Saturday with the heaviest accumulations at the higher elevations and rain at lower elevations.

The next storm system will deliver rain to Seattle between Wednesday through Sunday.

All Weather News
More
Catastrophic Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica, Cuba

Catastrophic Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica, Cuba

Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 28t

30 Oct 2025 3:10 AM
Rain Headed for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Rain Headed for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

An upper-level low has been traveling across

30 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Next Atmospheric River to Bring Halloween Rain

Next Atmospheric River to Bring Halloween Rain

WEST - A series of atmospheric rivers has bee

30 Oct 2025 2:55 AM
FORECAST: Halloween Night Shaping Up Okay For Many

FORECAST: Halloween Night Shaping Up Okay For Many

I will never forget the time it snowed in sou

30 Oct 2025 1:30 AM
Strong Winds, Temperature Changes, and Severe Storms

Strong Winds, Temperature Changes, and Severe Storms

Monday in Texas brought us record-breaking he

29 Oct 2025 10:00 PM
Santa Ana Setup Bringing the Heat into Southern California

Santa Ana Setup Bringing the Heat into Southern California

LOS ANGELES - On Tuesday, temperatures in LA

29 Oct 2025 8:45 PM
Flash Flood Emergency Triggered Sunday in Florida

Flash Flood Emergency Triggered Sunday in Florida

Slow-moving train thunderstorms produced extr

28 Oct 2025 10:15 AM