West Slopes North
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Irene Henninger
Issued: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineBe ready for a massive transition back to winter. Avalanche danger will increase as more snow falls, with over a foot in the forecast, and strong winds redistributing the snow as well. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely, so don't end up getting killed in a late-season avalanche: steer around all avalanche terrain, which includes where avalanches start, run, and stop.
Avalanche Danger
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7500-5500ft4 - High
5500-4500ft4 - High
4500-2500ft3 - Considerable
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7500-5500ft3 - Considerable
5500-4500ft3 - Considerable
4500-2500ft3 - Considerable
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: Storm Slab
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
Example photo: This isn't a good day to test your luck- stick to conservative terrain, as large, human triggered avalanches that can kill you, like this one, are likely.
Time to wake up from your spring mindset: It's going to be cold, actively powing, and blowing all day Tuesday. We likely won't start out with High danger, but as new snow depths grow, expect danger to rise. Early in the day, you may be able to travel through most terrain. But don't forget to rein it in as more snow falls. When there's about six inches of wind-affected snow, shift your travels away from steep slopes. As snow starts nearing a foot, stay out of all avalanche terrain, which includes flat and lower-angle slopes beneath large, steep paths.
At mid and lower elevations, we suspect that the new snow may be sticking well to the underlying spring snow, which could still be moist. Up high, the story could be very different, and as the new layer thickens, it could easily slide over a firm underlying crust. Large avalanches, both natural and human-triggered that could easily kill you, are expected.
Avalanches will be larger and more reactive in areas with wind loading, but as you gain elevation, even non wind-loaded areas could have large, natural avalanches. If we don't get nearly as much snow as the forecast suggests, danger may not be as great. Likewise, other areas in the zone may not receive as much snow as locations around Baker, and danger may be lower. When in doubt, today's the day to stick to lower-angle terrain, staying away from all avalanche terrain.
Forecast Discussion
At lower elevations, aside from portions just above the Heather Meadows parking lot, there isn't much snow base or smooth, continuous snow. Although we still expect avalanches, they probably won't be as large or quite as reactive. There may even be some moist snow down there, and a few rollerballs happening here.
Forecasts called for a couple tenths of an inch of water (1-2 inches of snow) Sunday night, but instead the Heather Meadows weather station received .6 inches of water in a few short hours in the evening. This likely translated to 6 inches of snow at higher elevations, which will be sitting beneath any additional incoming snow. We expect there was less snow Sunday night in other areas of the zone.
In all areas aside from upper elevation north-facing terrain, most of the snowpack consists of moist large melt forms. A more winterlike snowpack, with distinct layering, exists on upper elevation north slopes. Old glide cracks and other holes exist due to extensive recent warming, and will now be buried. Beware these hidden hazards.
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.