West Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineThe mountains have already seen wet avalanche activity, but continued warm temperatures, sun, and light winds will keep that trend going over the next few days. Pockets of unstable wind-drifted snow still linger on shaded slopes in alpine terrain.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 5, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Monday, April 6, 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
(4/4/2026)
A rider triggered small wet loose avalanche- the only rider triggered avalanche we saw during the day. East, 5700ft. Canyon Creek.
Photo: Irene Henninger
Natural wet loose avalanches are still possible, especially below rocks, cliffs, or steep tree-covered terrain where shedding snow can trigger slides on slopes below. Snow actively shedding from trees and rocks, fresh rollerballs, and new wet loose avalanches are all signs the snow surface is warming and becoming unstable.
You can also trigger a wet loose avalanche on steep slopes where the snow is soft and sloppy. These avalanches shouldn’t take you by surprise, but they can still take you for a ride if you’re not paying attention to the snow surface and your surroundings while traversing or descending sun-warmed slopes. As temperatures rise, this problem may spread to more shaded slopes as well.
Problem #2: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/3/2026)
A small, D1.5 human-triggered soft slab avalanche that released in a wind slab near a ridgeline plus a rocky outcropping, where drifts tend to collect. This slope rolled over, becoming steeper and unsupported, where it is easier for avalanches to be triggered.
Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mtn Rescue
The likelihood of triggering a wind slab is low, but the setup still exists at upper elevations on more shaded slopes. The concern is where wind-drifted snow accumulated over the April 1 old-new snow interface. Activity hasn’t been widespread, but there has been at least one human-triggered avalanche, and also a few natural slabs triggered by dribbles of loose snow or small cornice failures from above.
If you’re in alpine terrain and finding dry snow, use simple tests to check for weak bonding about a foot below the surface. Scoured surfaces, wind-rippled snow and cornices can help identify wind-loaded slopes. Wind slabs are less likely on southerly aspects, where the sun has baked them down to the point of being unreactive.
Forecast Discussion
Many wet avalanches from Thursday and Friday were reported on all aspects around the Baker Backcountry and other parts of West North. While numerous, they were generally small, mostly less than D2. Cool southerly winds helped offset warmer temperatures on Saturday, but the snow surface still warmed enough that you could get some wet snow moving on a very steep slope. The most new activity came from near Cascade Pass where a number of fresh wet avalanches were observed and also a slab triggered by cornice fall.
The progression of wet loose avalanches is always fascinating—at least to some. Periods of greenhouse conditions on Thursday and Friday likely kicked off the first round of wet loose avalanches as fresh snow warmed for the first time. This wasn’t limited to sunny slopes; shaded slopes saw activity as well with warming affecting all aspects.
The bigger question is whether warming continues to the point where the upper snowpack becomes saturated and produces larger, more unpredictable wet avalanches—the kind that run far and gouge deep. It may not happen everywhere, or at all, but it’s something to keep in mind.
This is a tough pattern to forecast exactly. The best policy is to pay attention to how wet the snow is underfoot and also to what’s happening around you. Look beyond your immediate surroundings—watch adjacent valleys and ridgelines. If you start seeing more wet activity than expected, larger slides, or hearing the distant rumble of large avalanches, that’s your cue things are changing quickly. And as usual, the biggest terrain will also produce the biggest avalanches.
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.