West Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Irene Henninger
Issued: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineStorm totals will exceed a foot, and human-triggered avalanches are likely as the new snow settles. You'll find deeper snow and more reactive conditions at higher elevations, so choose lower-angle terrain as you climb higher. If we see the sun, wet avalanches are expected, so steer clear of areas beneath large slopes facing the sun.
Avalanche Danger
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4500ft3 - Considerable
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Thursday, April 16, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
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 (2)
Problem #1: Storm Slab
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/17/2025) Slab avalanches that failed with a human trigger, just as the slope rolled over and got steep enough. Photo: Irene Henninger
Human-triggered slab avalanches are likely in the foot or more of new snow at mid and upper elevations on Wednesday, with larger, more reactive slides in wind-loaded areas. A smooth crust beneath the new snow at higher elevations may create a poor bond, allowing snow to slide easily—even outside of wind-loaded terrain.
Stick to lower-angle terrain. If you have the skills, use quick hand pits to assess bonding. If the snow is well-bonded and right-side-up (softer toward the surface), cautiously traveling on steeper, non-wind-loaded slopes may be reasonable—but start small. Expect loose dry avalanches (sluffing) in these areas.
Don't ignore red flags like shooting cracks or recent avalanches—signs the snowpack needs more time. If you see these or have any doubt, avoid all steep slopes.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/27/2026) Rolleballs and small wet loose slides, like ones that could initiate if the sun pops out on Wednesday. They could grow large on big slopes. Photo: Robert Shughart
There’s plenty of light, fluffy snow—a welcome change after the long stretch of spring weather. If clouds break on Wednesday, it won’t take much for the strong spring sun to initiate wet loose avalanches in the new snow.
Slides will most likely start from tree bombs or rocky areas, but they could release on any steep, sun-exposed slope. If the sun comes out, expect a quick uptick in activity. With several inches of new snow, avalanches could grow larger than expected. If the sun appears, move away from steep, sunlit slopes and terrain beneath them.
Forecast Discussion
Make sure you shift your mindset back to winter conditions and dry snow avalanche problems if you venture out on Wednesday. As of Tuesday evening, storm totals at several areas around the zone were recording about an inch of water, which likely fell as about a foot of snow at upper elevations. Decline Creek at the top of the lower elevation band had 7 inches of new snow.
Tuesday night, we're expecting another 6-10 inches to fall, with snowlines dropping low. It's going to be cold. Most areas in the lower elevation band don't have old snow cover, but near the top, there could be smooth, continuous old snow surfaces with 6 or more inches of snow on them, and avalanches could occur.
Before this storm, we had a long period of spring weather, with receding snowpacks that were rapidly transitioning to spring conditions. Most areas, aside from upper-elevation north-facing slopes, had a spring snowpack composed of moist, large melt forms. The surface layer may have frozen into a hard crust during this cooling, especially as you work your way higher. Higher north-facing slopes still may have had some dry snow layers, but probably crusts from wind or warming at the surface, now beneath this new snow layer.
There are so many bare and melted out areas, including cracks and holes all the way up through mid elevations, at least. Many of these will be thinly disguised by the new snow. Beware of these hazards during your travels.
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.