West Slopes North
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 LineAny avalanches you trigger on Friday may be small, but they can still have serious consequences with cliffs, creeks, or other hazards in the runout. Be wary of steep slopes holding wind-drifted snow in the alpine and wet, unstable snow in terrain below.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 3, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft1 - Low
Saturday, April 4, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
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
(1/11/2025)
Textured surfaces such as these are an easy visual clue that the wind has been active and wind slabs could exist on leeward slopes.
Photo: Dallas Glass
Wet snow and unreactive layering were reported up through mid elevations on Thursday. But you can still find dry snow and wind slabs if you get higher than that in the days ahead. Signs of previous wind transport, like scoured snow surfaces and fresh wind lips, can help you figure out where a wind slab might lurk. Track changes in snow stiffness as you gain elevation. Stiff, hollow, or drum-like snow is definitely a sign you found wind slab. Hard slabs can be difficult to evaluate with test slopes and sometimes fail unexpectedly when you have moved well out onto them.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
The light might be flat, but you can still see the rollers that are signs of possible wet avalanche activity.
Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mountain RescueTemperatures will warm on Friday and continue to climb through the weekend, with increasing amounts of sun each day. Wet snow doesn’t always slide, but it’s one of the first signs that it could. Watch for snow shedding from trees, fresh rollerballs, and other signs of wet avalanche instability. Avoid traveling on or directly below steep slopes or similar terrain where you see any of the above, or where the snow is becoming mushy, wet, and unsupportable.
Forecast Discussion
Dry snow avalanche problems just didn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar today. The 4 to 8 inches of new snow from overnight was reportedly moist to begin with and warmed further with the greenhouse effect mid-morning. This led to a cycle of loose snow avalanches up to D1.5 on all aspects, running on slopes below rocky terrain.
Winds blew hard overnight, with gusts near 50 mph. Signs of wind effect were apparent, but no unstable slabs were reported as of late Thursday. It’s likely a different story at upper elevations, where temperatures were cooler and the snow stayed drier. Most low-elevation terrain saw rain instead of snow, but you can still find wet new snow above roughly 4,000 feet.
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.