West Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dallas Glass
Issued: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineThe avalanche danger should be Low to start the day for most of the zone. However, as the storm arrives, expect the danger to slowly rise. Watch out for avalanches failing in pockets of wind drifted snow, particularly at higher elevations and on the volcanoes.
Avalanche Danger
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft1 - Low
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8000-6500ft3 - Considerable
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft1 - 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: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/29/2026)
Example: Blowing snow like this highlights local wind patterns and shows were wind slabs may be forming in the terrain.
Photo: Andy Harrington
It will take time for these wind slabs to develop into a problem on Tuesday, and they may not be much of an issue until later in the afternoon. As the storm arrives, expect the strong winds to easily blow around the new snow and build shallow drifts along ridges, near the base of cliffs, and in the tops of chutes. These slabs may start as relatively inconsequential, but could grow large enough to knock you over in wind prone areas and where more new snow falls.
Pay attention to any blowing snow around you. This will highlight local wind patterns and the potential features you’ll want to avoid. Be leery of firmer and deeper pockets of snow, especially in higher consequence terrain.
Forecast Discussion
The West South zone could be a little late to the party on Tuesday, but a series of storms is set to impact the area and bring more winter-like conditions to the mountains. After a week of minimal avalanche danger, we’ll have to remember that the calendar may say it's spring, but winter has returned . As the storm arrives and intensifies, the avalanche danger should grow through the afternoon and into the overnight hours.
The new snow should fall on a relatively warm, textured old surface, allowing it to bond well. If this happens, avalanches could be harder to trigger. If it doesn’t stick to the old surface, the new snow may slide easily. Quick hand pits and hand shears can let you keep tabs on how the snow is bonding as you travel.
Near and above the rain line, wet heavy snow will fall. Expect lots of rollerballs and maybe even a few small wet loose slides. Without much new snow, these point release avalanches shouldn’t amount to much, but it could be the most obvious sign of instability. At lower elevations, the snowpack is so beat up that more rain shouldn’t make a difference.
We’ve had Low danger for the past week, largely due to the thick and strong 3/25 crust. This has limited the size of any potential avalanches and kept the snowpack locked up. Until it weakens, we aren’t worried about layers deeper in the snow. This is often the most prominent crust near the surface on south aspects, and about a foot (30cm) down in shaded terrain.
Sadly, the new snow won’t do much to change the poor coverage. In some instances, it may only hide the ‘sharks’ (obstacles). The snowpack is patchy to non-existent at lower elevations and on southerly slopes. Open creeks, random holes, bare ground, exposed rocks, and downed logs are common. Give yourself time to navigate the challenging travel situation. Don’t despair. At higher elevations and on shaded aspects, deeper and more continuous snowpacks still provide plenty of fun.
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.