East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
Issued: Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineSunday will be the warmest day yet. You could trigger wet avalanches on most steep slopes as the day progresses. Rollerballs or wet snow that slides easily are your first sign to move to lower-angle terrain. Avalanches will likely be small, but could come down from above, so don't linger beneath steep rocks and cliffs.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 5, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Monday, April 6, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Avalanche Danger ScaleLearn moreGeneral InfoGeneral Information1 - LowLow2 - ModModerate3 - ConsConsiderable4 - HighHigh5 - ExtrExtreme
1 - Low | 2 - Moderate |  3 - Considerable |  4 - High |  5 - Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
| Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
| Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/18/2026)
Loose wet avalanches on Vasiliki Tower/Burgundy.
Photo: Marissa Popp
Saturday was warm, but Sunday will crank up the temperature even more. Avalanches will be easy to trigger on underlying slick crusts. While loose avalanches will be shallow and predictable, they could pick up significant debris and still be dangerous if they catch you off guard. Use small test slopes to see how easily the snow slides before committing to bigger terrain. Use caution near terrain traps, where an avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or gullies. Travel one at a time and stop out from under steep slopes where others are traveling.
As we enter spring, unpredictable wet avalanches can become more common with warm days and short nights. Steep rocky terrain and remaining cornices could shed naturally, so avoid snack breaks beneath these overhead hazards.
Forecast Discussion
Saturday's temperatures soared into the 50°F's at Washington Pass. Bringing the warmest temperatures in over a week. We suspect that even the upper elevation northerly terrain warmed up and will have formed a crust by Sunday morning. Overnight temperatures may drop to around freezing, providing a shallow refreeze of snow surfaces. But with Sunday expected to be even warmer, any surface crust that forms likely won't last for long.
Wind slabs formed late last week, and while we suspect that it's now difficult to trigger one, we have limited information about conditions at upper elevations. If you travel there, make frequent assessments before committing to consequential terrain. You can use small test slopes to assess wind slab reactivity. Long, shooting cracks in stiff, textured snow are a sign to steer around steep wind-loaded slopes.
Snow cover is thin on southerly slopes and at low elevations. Be aware of exposed rocks and open creeks. WSDOT has begun plowing operations on Hwy 20 between Silver Star trailhead and Newhalem. The road will be closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday while workers and machinery are operating.
This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions.
It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.