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
Snow Chances For The Mid-South and Southeast This Week

Snow Chances For The Mid-South and Southeast This Week

Forecast TimingA trough of low pressure is ex

12 Jan 2026 3:05 AM
Record Warmth in Store For the West

Record Warmth in Store For the West

Here comes the warmth again across the West!

12 Jan 2026 3:00 AM
Snow Squalls In The Northeast

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the mor

12 Jan 2026 2:45 AM
One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

It has been one year since the Palisades and

11 Jan 2026 2:05 AM
Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Outlooks & TimingFriday night and Saturda

10 Jan 2026 8:30 PM
Snow Returns to Ski Country

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

8 Jan 2026 1:45 AM
Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

NORTHEAST - We've had a series of clipper sys

7 Jan 2026 10:35 AM