East Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Josh Hirshberg
Issued: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineYou may encounter more elevated avalanche conditions at upper elevations and west of the Cascade crest. In those locations, there's enough recent snow to trigger avalanches in wet snow and in wind-drifted features. Plan to give yourself options to stay off steep slopes, both where the snow is becoming wet and weak and at upper elevations where you find recent drifts.
Avalanche Danger
Sunday, April 19, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - Low
Monday, April 20, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5000ft2 - Moderate
5000-3000ft1 - 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: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Natural loose avalanches on the SW aspect of Whistler Peak.
Photo: WSDOT NCRTemperatures will warm another 5-10F degrees on Sunday. This will combine with the sun to further moisten snow surfaces around the compass. You may see more active avalanche conditions on non-southerly aspects. You could still trigger avalanches on southerly aspects once surface crusts melt. As usual, larger avalanches are possible on long continuous slopes or in big alpine terrain. Limit your exposure to traveling beneath overhead hazards such as cornices. Be cautious about committing to terrain where your exit requires crossing steep, sun-exposed slopes as the day warms.
Problem #2: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Fresh wind lips, a tiny slab, and textured surfaces. Use visual clues to identify wind loaded slopes.
Photo: WSDOT NCRBlustery winds formed slabs in new snow on the 16th, and possibly more recently. Use clues like textured surfaces, drifts, and sharp cornices to highlight likely loaded slopes. While slabs often form near ridges and in the tops of chutes, you may also find them along the slides of mid-slope gullies and other exposed features. Stick to less wind-affected or lower-angle slopes to get around these fresh slabs and enjoy the nearby snow.
Limited observations indicate a good bond between recent snow and the underlying mid-April crust. However, to the north, near Pemberton and Whistler, there have been a number of remotely triggered, widely breaking, persistent slab avalanches.
Forecast Discussion
This will be the last avalanche forecast for the 25-26 season. Mountain weather forecasts will be published each afternoon through May 3rd. NWAC will continue to monitor conditions and issue special avalanche bulletins and warnings as needed. A huge thanks to everyone in our community for your support this winter!
It's likely that you can still find more wintry snow on northerly aspects at middle and upper elevations, though it's quickly turning to melt forms. On Friday and Saturday, the sun and mild temperatures warmed the recent snow on many slopes. On the 14-15th, a cold storm brought more than a foot of snow to areas near and west of the Cascade crest, including Rainy Pass and Harts Pass. Snow totals drop quickly further east. Expect smaller avalanches and lower danger in these locations.
The new snow accumulated over the stout 4/14 crust. On the 16th, WSDOT forecasters found plenty of visual evidence of wind-transported snow and nearby slabs. They also found that the new snow was generally well-bonded to the underlying crust. We don't know to what extent the wind has transported snow since then. It's worth noting that across the border, there have been multiple avalanches running on facets over the mid-April crust at upper elevations near Pemberton and Whistler. Some have been triggered remotely or have broken widely across terrain.
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.