East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Katie Warren
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 LineA stormy, windy day will increase avalanche danger throughout the day. You could trigger avalanches in stiff slabs of wind drifted snow on steep slopes below ridgelines. While avalanches might be small, they could be easy to trigger at upper elevations. Actively blowing snow or shooting cracks are signs to choose lower angle slopes.
Avalanche Danger
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
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: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/8/2026)
Shallow avalanches in steep confined terrain like in this photo could be easy to trigger on Tuesday.
This isn't a powerful storm, but the strong winds will easily drift fresh snow into shallow wind slabs. The storm will intensify, and avalanche danger will increase throughout the day. Wind slabs are most likely to form at upper elevations on lee slopes below ridgelines and confined rocky features. Look for blowing snow, cornice formations, and textured surfaces to help identify wind loaded terrain. You can use small test slopes to observe how the snow reacts. Cracking or snow sliding easily as a slab are signs that you could trigger an avalanche on a larger, steeper slope. Seek out wind sheltered areas or steer around textured drifts on steep terrain.
Avalanches will mostly be small, but consider what would happen if you get knocked off your feet. If you are pushed into rocks or trees, the consequences could still be high.
Forecast Discussion
This fast-moving storm could bring 4-6" of snow, accompanied by strong winds and cooling temperatures. The storm will build during the day and then bring additional snow overnight into Tuesday. We expect temperatures to start out mild and gradually cool, hopefully helping to form a favorable bond with the old snow surface. But we have limited information, so use quick hand pits as you travel to assess this new interface. If snow slides easily, avalanches are more likely.
Before temperatures cool, heavy weak snow could accumulate over crusts, resulting in small wet avalanches or rollerballs.
Recent observations indicate that surfaces have undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles. However, how solid the snowpack is in the morning depends on overnight temperatures and cloud cover. Over the weekend, clear skies helped to refreeze surfaces and keep them supportable. But Sunday's warm, cloudy evening left still-wet, unfrozen snow surfaces on Monday. It's always a good spring habit to check how thick the surface crust is in the morning.
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.