East Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Payton Schiff
Issued: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Friday, April 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineLimit your exposure to overhanging masses of snow or to cliffs where snow could fall from. Despite slightly cloudier conditions, small and isolated wet loose avalanches remain a concern. Move off steep terrain when you're sinking deeply into the snow surface if you want to avoid avalanches entirely. Lower elevations lack sufficient snow coverage for avalanche hazard to exist.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 10, 2026
7500-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-3000ft0 - No Rating
Saturday, April 11, 2026
7500-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-3000ft0 - No Rating
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. |
Forecast Discussion
Thursday night will be calm and warm with increasing cloud coverage. You'll still see the sun on Friday, but a rainy storm system is on its way. With the lack of a strong overnight refreeze, conditions could be more primed for wet loose avalanches on Friday. We expect any avalanches to be small and isolated. Monitor surface conditions as you move around. If you begin sinking deeply past your boot tops, consider it time to move to lower angle terrain. Another way to reduce your risk is to move quickly as you travel beneath overhead hazards, such as cornices or rock slabs, that could still shed snow.
Public observations have been limited due to low snow and difficult access. An NWAC Forecaster around Bumping Lake last Friday reported very patchy snow coverage and rugged travel to 5200 ft. More recently, another NWAC Forecaster traveling around East Central found similar conditions. There has been a notable lack of avalanche activity in East Central and East South. Over in the neighboring West South and Snoqualmie zones, numerous shed-style observations have occurred during the recent warm stretch of weather.
It likely comes as no surprise that coverage is a major issue, particularly on southerly slopes. You might find yourself walking on bare ground in search of snow at higher elevations. Expect a plethora of shallowly buried objects, high flowing creeks, and difficult access. As the WA Cascades are still recovering from the epic December 2025 atmospheric river events, roads can be washed out or blocked by downed trees. Plan extra time into your day accordingly.
It feels less like April and more like June out there, but we could be in for significant snowfall next week. Although this is unlikely to totally turn around this fast track towards summer we're on, it does mean that avalanche conditions could be completely different from what they are right now. Be sure to tune back into the forecast if you plan to score one more pow day this season.
The prolonged warm spell in March decimated the already struggling East South snowpack. Below 5,000 ft, snow coverage is too limited for avalanche danger at this time—so we’re issuing a No Rating for lower elevations. You can still find rideable snow at middle and upper elevations on most aspects.
Are you heading out into the mountains? Let us know what you see by submitting an observation here or on the AvyApp.
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.