East Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Payton Schiff
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 LineLimit your exposure to overhanging masses of snow or to cliffs where snow could fall from. Wet loose avalanches will be isolated and small. Move off steep terrain when you're sinking deeply into the snow surface if you want to avoid avalanches entirely.
Avalanche Danger
Friday, April 10, 2026
7500-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-2500ft1 - Low
Saturday, April 11, 2026
7500-6000ft1 - Low
6000-5000ft1 - Low
5000-2500ft1 - 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. |
Forecast Discussion
Thursday night will be calm and warm, with mostly clear skies. This means surface crusts should reform, but might not be as supportable as we'd like. Friday will be one more day of warm, sunnier weather before clouds start to move in, marking the beginning of more seasonal (even winter-like next week!) weather.
With the lack of a strong overnight refreeze, conditions could be more primed for wet loose avalanches on Friday while the sun is out. We expect any avalanches to be small and isolated. Monitor surface conditions as you move around. If you begin sinking deeply past your boot tops, consider it time to move to lower angle terrain. Another way to reduce your risk is to move quickly as you travel beneath overhead hazards, such as cornices or rock slabs, that could still shed snow.
An NWAC forecaster in the Salmon La Sac and Teanaway area reported very low snow cover, challenging access, and minimal recent wet avalanche activity. The lack of activity is due to the robust 03/25 crust within the snowpack. This crust is very thick and wasn't buried by much snow during the last storm cycle. That recent snow is now either merged with the crust or melted away in most places.
It likely comes as no surprise that coverage is a major issue, particularly at lower elevations and on southerly slopes. You might find yourself walking on bare ground in search of snow at higher elevations. It feels less like April and more like June out there, but we could be in for significant snowfall next week. Although this is unlikely to totally turn around this fast track towards summer we're on, it does mean that avalanche conditions could be completely different from what they are right now. Be sure to tune back into the forecast if you plan to score one more pow day this season.
Access to the mountains remains a challenge due to patchy snow, washed out roads, and downed trees. The WA Cascades are still recovering from the epic December 2025 atmospheric river events. Plan extra time into your day accordingly.
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.