West Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Lee Lazzara
Issued: Friday, March 13, 2026 at 6:38 PM PDT
Expires: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineAvalanche problems are limited to loose snow in very steep terrain and fresh slabs in areas experiencing increasing winds. Pay attention to changes in the snow surface throughout the day. Have a backup plan if you find conditions are much different than expected.
Avalanche Danger
Saturday, March 14, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
4500-2500ft1 - Low
Sunday, March 15, 2026
7500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-4500ft2 - Moderate
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 (2)
Problem #1: Wind Slab
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(1/23/2022)
Flags of snow blowing off high peaks are some of the early signs you could encounter wind slab.
Photo: Will Govus
Observers in different areas of the forecast zone found minimal wind effects or slab formation on Friday. While there currently isn’t much of a slab, a bit of wind will have no trouble drifting loose snow and forming fresh slabs. Wind speeds will vary throughout the day. This will primarily be an upper-elevation problem, or possibly farther east in the zone near North Cascades NP.
Drifting snow will be the main sign of active transport. Monitor snow depth and stiffness over the crust just below as you gain elevation and change aspects. Small test slopes, hand pits, and other simple tests can help you gauge the bond of new wind slab layers. If you find only loose snow, then wind slabs are not the main avalanche problem.
Problem #2: Dry Loose
Problem Type
Dry Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Loose dry avalanches on the west side of Table Mountain in the Baker Backcountry.
Photo: Julz Holder - Grounding TruthSnow from the last storm was observed to have a poor bond with the crust that formed a few days ago. The snow surface has stiffened slightly, but loose dry avalanches should still be on your radar in consequential terrain. Expect to push some snow downhill with you as you descend or traverse steep slopes. Natural loose dry avalanches are also possible below cliffs and other very steep features. These sluffs are unlikely to bury you, but could push you around or carry you somewhere you don’t want to go.
Forecast Discussion
The sun is not forecast to make much of an appearance on Saturday, but if it does, be ready to see loose wet avalanches initiating from steep rocky terrain. Keep track of what’s going on overhead as the day warms.
Observers in both Canyon Creek and the Baker Backcountry found 6 to 12 inches of snow over the most recent crust. The crust is generally soft and not supportable above 5,000 ft. Loose, dry avalanches were the main concern, with some naturals on Table Mountain running far and growing to D1.5. Minimal signs of wind transport were observed in both areas.
It’s worth noting the extreme variation in danger over a short distance in the Cascade Range. While West North observers felt avalanche danger was limited and quite easy to anticipate, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, sympathetic releases, and closed highways were reported from Stevens Pass and other zones. With this in mind, be prepared to find conditions quite different from what has been stated here if heading to less traveled parts of the forecast zone.
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.