East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWith another warm day, you could still trigger wet avalanches on steep terrain. The sun has been cooking southerly slopes for days, so wet avalanches might be easier to trigger on shady slopes at high elevations. Cornice falls, and snow shedding from cliffs are also possible, don't linger for long beneath these hazards.
Avalanche Danger
Monday, April 6, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8000-6500ft1 - Low
6500-5000ft1 - Low
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
The warm spell continues, and even though it's been days of this warm weather, we can't write off wet avalanches yet. You could still trigger wet snow avalanches on steep slopes. While loose avalanches are often 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. Steep rocky terrain and remaining cornices could shed naturally, so avoid snack breaks beneath these overhead hazards. Southerly aspects have seen significant warming and sunshine recently, so there is less snow to push around. Upper elevations, particularly shady slopes, might still have more dry snow that will slide more easily when it warms up.
Forecast Discussion
After another warm day on Monday, clouds should roll in by the late afternoon or early evening. While we won't likely see more than a sprinkle of precipitation, it should allow temperatures to cool and help limit wet avalanche conditions moving forward.
With limited access and low snow cover farther east and south in the zone, we have minimal observations, which creates significant uncertainty. We suspect the snowpack is on its way to becoming a consolidated spring snowpack. But you should be prepared to make your own assessments as you travel. Look for red flag signs of instability, such as recent avalanches or long shooting cracks in wind-drifted snow. You can also use small test slopes to see how the snow reacts. Wet, dry, or in between, if it slides easily, you're more likely to trigger an avalanche on a larger, steep slope. Given the uncertainty, build extra terrain margins into your trip plan.
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.