West Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Irene Henninger
Issued: Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineYou’re most likely to trigger a dangerous avalanche on large, steep, wind-loaded slopes at higher elevations, so avoid these steep areas —especially if you notice shooting cracks. When the sun shines intensely, expect sunny slopes to quickly wet and produce avalanches. Move away from these slopes if you see rollerballs, heavy wet snow, or natural slides.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, March 27, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft1 - Low
Saturday, March 28, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft1 - Low
4500-2500ft1 - 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 (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Example photo: Note the textured surface on this wind slab, and long, shooting cracks as the avalanche initiated.
Photo: Adam Ü
A forecaster found that wind slabs at Heather Meadows were stubborn to trigger avalanches on during their outing on Thursday. They also intentionally avoided large, steep, slopes that had obvious wind loading and rolled over into even steeper terrain beneath them, as they highly suspected that entering that terrain would have resulted in a large, destructive avalanche (observation). Avalanches may be more difficult to trigger than previous days, but this doesn't mean you won't trigger one if you're in the right spot.
Search for wind-affected snow. Wind slabs may be smooth and rounded, or they could have a textured surface. These areas will feel firmer beneath you than softer, non wind-affected snow. Slabs frequently develop in gullies, on the leeward side of ridges and features, and around outcroppings. Look for obvious clues like long, shooting cracks, and dig small hand pits to see how easily the heavier, wind-affected layer slides over the softer snow beneath it. Avoid steep slopes where you encounter wind slabs, and especially if you find obvious clues of concern.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(3/26/2026)
Intermittent clouds mostly kept loose snow avalanches in check on Thursday, but a few small D1's were visible on southerly aspects. South aspect at 5700 feet above Upper Bagley Lake.
Photo: Lee Lazzara
There were small amounts of wet loose avalanche activity on Thursday, and a crust may have formed on some slopes that were wetted. More solar input is expected on Friday, and temperatures are expected to climb higher than the previous day, so there could be an uptick in wet loose avalanche activity. Expect the most activity from rocky areas.
Steep slopes facing the sun will get sloppy and wet, and could slide. If you notice rollerballs, slides, or are surrounded by wet, sticky snow, shift to lower-angle terrain away from the bottom of large paths facing the sun, or move to a colder aspect.
Forecast Discussion
If you enter steep, wind-loaded terrain, think about an escape route if you trigger an avalanche. If you're in high-consequence areas like above rocks, cliffs, trees or a gully, being caught in even a small slide could result in a bad outcome. We have limited information from higher elevations and areas further east, where slabs could be more sensitive. If you travel to these areas, be sure to investigate the snowpack for yourself, or, when in doubt, avoid steep terrain with wind-affected snow.
The Heather Meadows weather station received just over 3 inches of water Tuesday through early Thursday morning. Early on, there was some waffling between rain and snow at mid elevations, but thankfully, the last bit of precipitation came in with cooling temperatures and finished as snow. There was 8-10 inches of non-wind-affected dry snow in the area on Thursday. Wind gusted over 50mph at Pan dome on Wednesday, resulting in reactive wind slabs, like what someone likely triggered in the Baker backcountry on Wednesday (first media photo), but since then stability has slowly improved. There were large and very large natural avalanches that likely occurred around this time at higher elevations surrounding the Baker backcountry (see media gallery).
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.