West Slopes Central
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineWarm, sunny weather continues through the weekend. Wet loose avalanches are possible on all aspects. As the snowpack warms, cornices and glide avalanches are becoming a concern—pay attention to overhead hazards.
Avalanche Danger
Saturday, April 18, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
Sunday, April 19, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4500ft3 - Considerable
4500-2500ft2 - Moderate
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
A long-running wet loose avalanche from a previous winter.
Dry snow is slowly disappearing from northerly aspects as warming continues and mid-April sun reaches previously shaded terrain. Ongoing warming also brings back the low-likelihood, high-consequence hazard from glide avalanches and falling cornices.
Variability in temperature, cloud cover, and upper snowpack layering means variable conditions across the forecast zone—don’t expect a set number or size of wet avalanches. As usual, larger avalanches remain possible on long fall-line slopes and in big alpine terrain.
Avoid steep slopes where you see fresh rollerballs and small wet avalanches, or where the snow is mushy and wet. Be cautious when committing to terrain with steep, sun-exposed exits or overhead hazards. If it’s warmer than expected, adjust early—before your options shrink.
Problem #2: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(4/16/2026)
Ripples of wind-affected snow on Mt. Ann/West North.
Photo: Wesley Loechelt
There have been some signs of wind-affected snow, but wind slabs haven’t been reported to be widespread in the Central Cascades. Chances are it’s a different story in high alpine terrain or farther east near Glacier Peak. Look for signs of previous wind transport like fresh cornices, scoured snow, and changes in surface texture or stiffness. Most wind slabs should be small, but even a small slab could have high consequences in steep alpine terrain.
Forecast Discussion
The last avalanche forecast for the 25-26 season will be for Sunday, April 19th. Mountain weather forecasts will be published each afternoon through May 3rd. A huge thanks to everyone in our community for your support this winter!
On Friday, warming and sun were enough to produce natural wet loose avalanches on many sun-exposed slopes at Stevens Pass. In West North, backcountry travelers reported limited avalanche concerns in alpine terrain on Shuksan, with dry loose less reactive, no wind slabs observed, and a handful of wet loose avalanches up to D1.5 on southerly terrain. In the Twin Sisters Range, some wind effect was noted, and warming quickly turned excellent morning conditions into heavier snow and an increase in wet loose activity—even on north aspects—by the afternoon.
Earlier in the week, up to 20 inches of new snow fell at upper elevations near Stevens Pass on the 15th, bonding well to a crust or moist old snow. A natural cycle of loose dry avalanches likely occurred during and just after the storm, while slab activity remained limited. Across West North, slab avalanches were mostly small and confined to slopes steeper than 40 degrees, with one notable exception: a large human-triggered slab on a very steep, wind-loaded alpine slope, likely on Thursday.
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.