West Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineSun and above freezing temperatures will maintain the risk of wet avalanches. Avoid travel on or directly under slopes where you see rolling balls of snow, small wet avalanches, or where the snow is mushy and wet. Look out for pockets of wind-drifted snow in steep, alpine terrain.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 17, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Saturday, April 18, 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: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/16/2026)
Rollerballs are often a precursor to natural wet loose avalanches.
Photo: Dallas Glass
A “slow bake” pattern seems to have kept wet avalanche activity to a steady trickle, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. More sun and warmer temperatures on Friday could bump things up—or not. Expect variability across the zone and watch for signs that wet avalanche activity is increasing. As usual, larger avalanches are possible on long fall-line slopes or in big alpine terrain.
Be cautious about committing to terrain where your exit requires crossing steep, sun-exposed slopes or traveling under overhead hazards. If you find conditions warmer than expected, adjust early—before your options shrink.
Problem #2: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/3/2026)
Keep an eye on steep, unsupported, and wind-loaded features if you are headed east toward North Cascade National Park, or just alpine terrain in general.
Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mtn Rescue
There have been few observations of wind-transported snow—or even wind—in the main portions of the forecast zone, but chances are it’s a different story along the eastern edge of the forecast zone near the Cascade Crest. Look for signs of previous wind transport like fresh cornices, scoured snow, and changes in surface texture or stiffness. Most wind slabs should be small, but even a small slab could have high consequences in steep alpine terrain.
Forecast Discussion
On Thursday, an observer on the White Salmon Glacier found no slab instabilities or evidence of wind slabs. Human-triggered dry loose avalanches were running far on long, fall-line slopes, reaching up to D1.5. A few small wet loose avalanches were also observed on southerly terrain across the creek. Others out and about the Baker Backcountry found periods of sun ramped up signs of wet avalanche instability, but it just didn't stay warm enough for long enough to initiate a cycle of wet avalanches.
The 1–2 feet of new snow from the latest storm settled quickly by Wednesday morning, with slab avalanche activity that day limited to steep, unsupported slopes. The new snow bonded well to the underlying crust or moist layer from April 13. Even with limited sun, there was enough warming to produce rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches on southerly aspects, while wind effects near ridgelines remained subtle and were often obscured by softer 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.