West Slopes South
Backcountry Avalanche Forecast
Author: Dallas Glass
Issued: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
Expires: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM PDT
The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineStormy weather may bring dangerous avalanche conditions, especially to higher elevations and the volcanoes. While all steep open slopes with more than 8 inches of new snow are suspect, give wind loaded terrain a wide berth. If the sun pops out, the snow could change rapidly and release natural loose slides.
Avalanche Danger
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8000-6500ft3 - Considerable
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft2 - Moderate
Thursday, April 16, 2026
8000-6500ft2 - Moderate
6500-5500ft2 - Moderate
5500-3500ft1 - 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: Storm Slab
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(12/19/2025)
Handpits can help highlight potential failure points in the upper snowpack.
Photo: Andy Harrington
By Wednesday morning, most of the storm snow will already be on the ground. Start the day questioning any steep open slope. Use hand pits, uptrack tests, and small slopes to see how the new snow reacts. If it fails in blocks or slides easily, then steer clear of steep open areas. You may find soft slabs or subtle interstorm layers due to changes in temperature or precipitation rates on Tuesday night.
Expect slabs to be thicker and firmer in wind loaded areas. These spots could produce avalanches, even if you don’t see signs of unstable snow in sheltered terrain. Look for textured surfaces and sharp wind lips to highlight potentially loaded slopes. Steer around firm pillow-like slabs.
If the sun comes out, conditions may change quickly. It's always hard to say if it will make things more or less stable. Keep checking the snowpack, throughout the day, and be ready to dial it back if needed.
Problem #2: Wet Loose
Problem Type
Wet Loose
Aspect/Elevation
Likelihood
Size
(2/10/2026)
Example: Rollerballs as snow sheds from rocks and trees earlier this winter. Slopes like this could produce natural wet loose slides on Wednesday.
Photo: Dallas Glass
This is an “if-then” problem. The sky forecast for Wednesday is tricky, but if the sun pops out, then expect rollerballs and natural wet loose slides. It may not take much sunshine to set things in motion. If you’re feeling the warmth of the sun, odds are, so is the snow. Watch for snow shedding from trees and rocks. This may trigger natural loose slides on the slopes below. Pay attention to what’s above you, and look for routes that help you avoid being on or under steep sunny terrain.
Forecast Discussion
Don’t be surprised if you encounter a wide range of conditions on Wednesday. Things might be very different as you gain elevation and as the weather changes through the day. Couple that with less field data than normal, and we have a much greater level of uncertainty. Give yourself several options to adjust to what you find and the potentially changing conditions during.
The new snow will fall on a solid old surface. We think it will bond well to this warmer, irregular crust, but that could vary by elevation and across the zone. Below the new snow, the upper snowpack is strong, thanks in large part to the solid 3/25 crust. Until this burly layer breaks down, we aren’t very worried about what’s below.
The new snow will certainly help travel conditions. It may also hide many of the nasty obstacles we’ve been dodging, including patches of bare ground and rocks. Don't let the powder fool you. Take it slow. There are lots of open creeks, downed logs, and random holes to negotiate while traveling.
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.