West Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineLook for increasing danger from wet avalanches, especially in areas that have not yet seen significant activity. Pay attention to what’s above you as the day warms, and avoid travel on or directly under steep slopes where you see active rollerballs or fresh wet snow avalanches. Cornice fall and glide avalanches also a hazard.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 19, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Monday, April 20, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
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: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
This is the sort of terrain where an increase in wet avalanche activity is anticipated on Sunday. Small ones are visible here and there, but there's potential to see some larger ones as well.
Photo: Lee LazzaraWarm temperatures and periods of thin cloud cover have definitely produced wet avalanches over the past few days. Most were on southerly aspects at mid elevations, but some were also spotted on northerly slopes. A few wet avalanches were also seen in high alpine terrain. Most were smaller than D2.
The big question is whether much warmer temperatures and less wind over the next few days will produce more and larger avalanches. While mid elevations may have already gone through a wet loose cycle, upper elevations still seem to have more snow to shed.
The greatest danger will be in the afternoon on slopes seeing direct sun, which is nearly everywhere now that the sun is so high in the sky. There is no guarantee you will see large wet avalanches, but pay attention to how the mountains react to Sunday and Monday’s warm-up, and have a plan to minimize exposure if things feel too hot to handle.
Problem #2: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/18/2026)
A small skier-triggered wind slab. North aspect on the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker at 7300 feet.
(HS-AS-D1-S)
Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mountain Rescue
Older wind slabs from mid-week are likely unreactive, but recent strong alpine winds have formed new slabs at upper elevations, generally at and above 7,000 feet. Look for scoured surfaces, rippled snow, cornices, and fresh drifts to identify where pockets of wind slab lie in wait. Most slabs should be small, and some will be surrounded by a sea of crust, making them easier to spot and avoid on steep terrain. On the other hand, the best cold, dry snow will also be in these same wind-loaded areas.
Forecast Discussion
This will be the last avalanche forecast for the 25-26 season. Mountain weather forecasts will be published each afternoon through May 3rd. NWAC will continue to monitor conditions and issue special avalanche bulletins and warnings as needed. A huge thanks to everyone in our community for your support this winter!
A variety of wet loose avalanches and a few small glide avalanches were visible around the Baker Backcountry in West North. Wet avalanches were seen on all aspects at mid elevations, with most on slopes receiving the direct sun. Most were less than D2, though a few larger ones were spotted on very large southwest-facing slopes near the Canadian border. Patches of dry snow remained at 5000 feet, but overall, the snow surface has been affected by warming across all aspects. Similar wet avalanche activity was reported from Snoqualmie Pass over the past few days.
Large amounts of wind transport and a single human-triggered wind slab were reported from high alpine terrain on Mt. Baker on Saturday. Wind slab formation was generally limited to areas above 7,000 feet, as crust caps the snowpack below that elevation and had locked in place any remaining soft snow.
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.