West Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Irene Henninger
Issued: Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWe have one more hot day before cooler temperatures arrive, and you can still trigger a small wet avalanche, which could gain mass and grow larger on large steep slopes. Don't be surprised to see odd warm-weather avalanches or failures, such as cornice falls, glides, or snow blocks on cliffs releasing without warning. Constantly scan for overhead hazards and move quickly beneath them.
Avalanche Danger
Monday, April 6, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
7500-5500ft1 - Low
5500-4500ft1 - Low
4500-2500ft1 - 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. |
Avalanche Problems (1)
Problem #1: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/4/2026)
A human triggered wet loose avalanches and an abundance of rollerballs intitiating mainly from rocks.
Photo: Irene Henninger
Most natural wet loose avalanche activity is likely behind us, but it still wouldn't be a surprise if one came running down, probably initiating in rocky areas. Alternatively, if you travel out onto steep slopes and encounter soggy, wet snow, you could trigger a wet loose avalanche. If you're planning on traveling in steep terrain, make a plan for how to avoid getting caught in any avalanches you trigger.
Most avalanches will likely stay above the crust that's sitting 1-2ft beneath the surface. If an avalanche initiates on a large, steep slope, it could pick up a lot of mass before it finally comes to rest. If you're sinking a foot or more into soggy wet snow around you, notice any natural activity, or you see or hear water actively dripping or flowing on large steep faces, it's probably not a good idea to be on or below those slopes.
Below about 3500ft, snow cover is spotty, if it even exists. You could initiate an avalanche in smaller patches at lower elevations, but your main concern in these areas is challenging variable snow travel or larger avalanches initiating from high above you.
Forecast Discussion
Thanks to clear skies, we suspect there was at least a small refreeze on most wet surfaces Saturday night, and we suspect the same for Sunday night going into Monday. Although this may slow avalanche activity initially, be warned that it won't take much sun for a surface freeze to thaw again. Snow conditions are highly aspect dependent, with deep layers of moist snow on sunny aspects, that are rapidly melting out. Northerly slopes, especially at higher elevations, are surprisingly winterlike still.
After several days of warm temperatures, there's an increased chance of soggy snow features failing in isolated areas, such as cornices, blocks of wet snow on cliffs, or even a glide failing. Snow falling onto a steep slope beneath features could trigger an avalanche. As you travel, continuously search overhead for any looming hazards. It's hard to tell if and when anything might fail, but it's probably a good bet to skirt slopes beneath them or at least travel quickly through the area.
Upper elevation north-facing slopes are likely remaining mostly cold and dry, although there may have been a bit of moistening at the surface, resulting in shallow wet loose avalanches. We suspect these areas will probably survive with little additional warming until temperatures finally cool Monday night. Previously, there were natural and human-triggered avalanches, around a foot deep, reported in neighboring zones, which probably were happening here too. We suspect any weaknesses, mainly limited to shady aspects, to have healed by now.
A forecaster on their day off was enjoying a rest with views on Saturday when they witnessed a natural avalanche cycle just north of Snoqualmie Pass in the southern portions of the West Central zone. At least some of the activity appeared to have initiated from cornice fall (media gallery).
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.