West Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dallas Glass
Issued: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineDynamic spring weather and limited information about the new snow lead to more questions than answers regarding avalanche cconcerns. Choose terrain that lets you easily identify and avoid steep open slopes and adjust to changing conditions.
Avalanche Danger
Thursday, April 16, 2026
8000-6500ft3 - Considerable
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft2 - Moderate
Friday, April 17, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
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. |
Avalanche Problems (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Visual clues of wind transported snow and potentially wind loaded slopes.
Photo: Dallas GlassWhile you may trigger an avalanche in the new snow in very steep terrain, it's the wind loaded areas that are the real danger. You'll probably encounter two different versions of this same problem on Thursday.
Moderate to strong winds may form fresh slabs during the day. These wind loaded pockets will probably be easier to trigger, but should be relatively small. Blowing snow can help you figure out exactly where they are building. NW winds might develop slabs in some strange places.
Older slabs likely formed during the storm on Tuesday night. This version of the problem could be harder to spot and more difficult to trigger, but break much deeper. Look for sharp cornices and drifts to highlight areas of firmer, deeper snow.
You may find both types of wind slabs near ridges, along the base of cliffs, and on exposed mid-slope features. Give suspected wind loaded slopes a wide berth, especially in higher consequence terrain.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/10/2026)
Example: Rollerballs as snow sheds from rocks and trees earlier this winter. Slopes like this could produce natural wet loose slides.
Photo: Dallas Glass
It’s hard to say exactly how pervasive wet loose avalanches will be on Thursday. Some locations may have experienced loose slides and sunshine on Wednesday. The colder and drier the surface snow, the more of a shock the sun will be. If skies stay cloudy, this might not be much of a problem at all.
Watch for snow falling from trees and rocks. This is often our first clue that the sun is impacting the snow. Rollerballs and small wet loose slides often follow. If you start to notice the sun, get ahead of the problem by using routes that help you avoid being on or under steep sunny slopes.
The amount of new snow and the length of the slope have big impacts on the size of potential slides. Long, rocky faces with more than a foot of snow on them could easily produce large natural avalanches.
Forecast Discussion
This storm performed well in the West South zone. Storm totals vary widely from 6-12 inches near the crest to 15-18 inches on the volcanoes. We could pick up another few inches Wednesday night. Information about the new snow is limited, but the few reports we have suggest it’s largely right-side-up and bonding well to the underlying 4/14 crust.
With a higher level of uncertainty, it's a good idea to take time to observe the new snow. Look all the way down to the first obvious crust. If it breaks in blocks or fails easily, dial it back. Things may be spicier than anticipated. How the snow reacts could also vary throughout the day, especially as it’s affected by the sun. Fortunately, we’re only worried about the storm snow. The 4/14 and 3/25 crusts have formed a very strong upper snowpack. Until these break down, we aren’t worried about any weaker snow below.
The new snow certainly helps travel conditions! But don’t let the powder blind you. It may also hide rocks, bare ground, and even some holes. Coverage has been very thin at lower elevations and on southerly aspects. The fresh coat of snow didn’t change that.
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.