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
Lake Effect Maching May Fire Up Midweek

Lake Effect Maching May Fire Up Midweek

We've got a party getting started in the midw

10 Nov 2026 12:15 PM
Tropics Update: Pena Spinning in the Pacific

Tropics Update: Pena Spinning in the Pacific

Hurricane season isn’t over yet. The National

10 Nov 2026 11:55 AM
Atmospheric Rivers Slam the West

Atmospheric Rivers Slam the West

The calendar has turned to November, which me

10 Nov 2026 11:55 AM
East Coast Snow? What We Know About the Late Week System

East Coast Snow? What We Know About the Late Week System

Ready for the first snow of the season? While

10 Nov 2026 11:30 AM
Texas Flood Threat To Start The Week

Texas Flood Threat To Start The Week

Rain is tapering off after the heavy totals t

9 Nov 2026 10:55 PM
Heavy Rain Brings Flooding Concerns to Northeast as Storm System Moves East

Heavy Rain Brings Flooding Concerns to Northeast as Storm System Moves East

The same system that has produced unsettled w

7 Nov 2026 10:00 PM
Flash Flood Emergency For Parts of Georgia and Tennessee

Flash Flood Emergency For Parts of Georgia and Tennessee

Residences along the Ocoee (TN) and Toccoa (G

5 Nov 2026 1:50 PM