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
HALLOWEEN 2026: Is the weather a Trick or a Treat?

HALLOWEEN 2026: Is the weather a Trick or a Treat?

Hopefully the costume's picked out by now, th

26 Oct 2026 2:30 PM
Tropical Storm Vance Swirling in the Pacific, Olana Forms East of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Vance Swirling in the Pacific, Olana Forms East of Hawaii

After becoming a hurricane Friday, Vance has

26 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

This week, the ocean is coming to low lying a

26 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Mount Slushmore? Taking a look at Dakota Snow Chances

Mount Slushmore? Taking a look at Dakota Snow Chances

The cooler weather is finding places to go fi

26 Oct 2026 10:10 AM
Major River Flooding Causes Damage; Another Day of Storms in New Mexico

Major River Flooding Causes Damage; Another Day of Storms in New Mexico

A powerful low pressure system has been movin

26 Oct 2026 1:00 AM
Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA ridge of high pressure linger

25 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

SETUPThe National Hurricane Center was watchi

23 Oct 2026 1:20 AM