West Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Friday, April 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineAvalanche danger will be greatest from around Highway 2 south to I-90, where the most new snow fell, and where warming and sun will have the greatest impact. Expect a rapid increase in avalanche activity in the second half of the day, or whenever the sun breaks out. Avoid traveling on or under steep slopes where you think the snow is turning wet and sloppy.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 3, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4500ft3 - Considerable
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Saturday, April 4, 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
(4/2/2026)
Fresh wet avalanche debris on the north side of Table Mountain, the result of fresh snow warming with greenhouse conditions on Thursday morning. West North.
Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mountain Rescue
It’s not a guarantee that large wet avalanches will release naturally, but the setup is definitely in place, with areas of deep new snow, warming temperatures, and afternoon sun. Snow shedding from trees and rocks is the first sign that the snow surface is warming. There is a good chance that natural wet avalanches will follow. You can also likely trigger one if you venture out onto steep slopes chocked full of wet, mushy snow.
Avoid travel on or directly below slopes where you see signs of wet avalanche instability like rollerballs and very small slides. Gullies that connect to bigger slopes above could also see avalanches if things really get spicy. If it’s hot and sunny, the snow is wet, and you hear the rumbling of wet avalanches, then it would be wise to find a safe exit from the mountains.
Problem #2: Storm Slab
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/2/2026)
A fresh human-triggered slab avalanche in the Crystal Backcountry in the West South forecast zone.
Photo: Conner Niemann
The southern portion of the West Central forecast area likely picked up significant amounts of new snow in the past 24 hours. So basically, if you find more than 12 inches of new snow, avoid steep slopes.
Less than that? It’s up to you to evaluate stability using test slopes, hand pits, or other simple tests to assess the bond of new snow layers and identify stronger over weaker snow. When in doubt, just pick lower-angled, simpler terrain.
As usual, you’re more likely to trigger a larger avalanche on slopes where the wind has created thicker slabs. Slab avalanche danger should be lower and more confined to exposed, wind-loaded slopes as you head farther north toward Darrington or east near the Cascade Crest.
Forecast Discussion
The Puget Sound Convergence Zone strikes again. West Central ended up the big winner from the latest storm, with periods of heavy snowfall Thursday morning. The Alpine Meadows and Skookum SNOTELs both picked up over an inch of precipitation, and Alpine even recorded an 8-inch increase in snow depth. While that may not seem like much, it’s notable for 3,500 feet in April. Deeper new snow is likely at mid and upper elevations. Wind data is limited, but both Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes saw moderate westerly winds with strong gusts, and winds were likely much stronger in the alpine.
In neighboring zones, storm conditions brought 4–8 inches of new snow with strong overnight winds. At Snoqualmie Pass, shallow but sensitive slabs were reported in mid-elevation terrain, likely failing within the new snow. In West North, the snow started moist and quickly warmed, producing loose avalanches up to D1.5 on all aspects. Despite widespread signs of wind effect, unstable slabs were not observed in that zone, though cooler, drier upper elevation areas may still hold wind slabs. Rain—not snow—dominated at lower elevations in both of these zones as well.
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.