West Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Andy Harrington
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 LineGenerally safe avalanche conditions will persist on Friday as warm weather continues. Snow or ice shedding from rocky features or high on a volcano can never be ruled out this time of year. Travel hazards may pose a greater threat to your day.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 10, 2026
8000-6500ft1 - Low
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-3500ft1 - Low
Saturday, April 11, 2026
8000-6500ft1 - Low
6500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-3500ft1 - 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. |
Forecast Discussion
It feels more like May or even June in the hills than early April this week. Several NWAC weather stations recorded temperatures in the 50s on Thursday, and solar radiation data has been increasing slowly each day. Expect that trend to continue Thursday night into Friday before a pattern change moves into the zone for the weekend. If you're into long-range forecasts, there may even be a snowstorm next week as we return to more seasonable norms.
Which is a good reminder that it is still early April, not May or June. Although our snowpack is thinner this year and appears to be melting out quickly, that's largely a bias toward lower and mid-elevations. As you ascend toward upper elevations or higher onto a volcano, you'll likely find a more robust snowpack.
Anywhere you find snow-covered slopes, there is still the potential to trigger a wet loose avalanche during the heat of the day. Additionally, snow clinging to rocky outcrops and sagging cornices will need to come down before we can start up our summer plans. Throw in the potential for ice/serac falls or even rockfall, and your main avalanche concerns are now overlapping with general mountain hazards. So make travel plans with these low-likelihood, potentially high-consequence overhead hazards in mind.
In the morning hours, you'll likely encounter a firm snow surface. This will help minimize potential avalanche activity but may create a travel hazard due to long slips and falls. The volcanoes are notorious for long fall accidents and may require an added sense of awareness. If you're getting an early start to your day, bring the right equipment to travel safely over firm surfaces and know how to use it, regardless of your location.
Other travel hazards exist as a result of our unseasonably warm weather. Open holes and creeks, thin snow bridges, and exposed ground or rocks are commonplace throughout the hills. Maybe these aren't much of a problem if you're walking/hiking, but if you're planning to ride a sled or ski, you'll undoubtedly encounter longer travel times than you're used to.
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.