Lawinenlagebericht

West Slopes Central

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Look for increasing danger from wet avalanches, especially in areas that have not yet seen significant activity. Pay attention to what’s above you as the day warms, and avoid travel on or directly under steep slopes where you see active rollerballs or fresh wet snow avalanches. Cornice fall and glide avalanches also a hazard.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Warm temperatures and periods of thin cloud cover have definitely produced wet avalanches over the past few days. Most were on southerly aspects at mid elevations, but some were also spotted on northerly slopes. A few wet avalanches were also seen in high alpine terrain. Most were smaller than D2.

    The big question is whether much warmer temperatures and less wind over the next few days will produce more and larger avalanches. While mid elevations may have already gone through a wet loose cycle, upper elevations still seem to have more snow to shed.

    The greatest danger will be in the afternoon on slopes seeing direct sun, which is nearly everywhere now that the sun is so high in the sky. There is no guarantee you will see large wet avalanches, but pay attention to how the mountains react to Sunday and Monday’s warm-up, and have a plan to minimize exposure if things feel too hot to handle.

    (4/18/2026)

    This is the sort of terrain where an increase in wet avalanche activity is anticipated on Sunday. Small ones are visible here and there, but there's potential to see some larger ones as well.

    Photo: Lee Lazzara

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Older wind slabs from mid-week are likely unreactive, but recent strong alpine winds have formed new slabs at upper elevations, generally at and above 7,000 feet. Look for scoured surfaces, rippled snow, cornices, and fresh drifts to identify where pockets of wind slab lie in wait. Most slabs should be small, and some will be surrounded by a sea of crust, making them easier to spot and avoid on steep terrain. On the other hand, the best cold, dry snow will also be in these same wind-loaded areas.

    (4/18/2026)

    A small skier-triggered wind slab. North aspect on the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker at 7300 feet.

    (HS-AS-D1-S)

    Photo: Harrison Brickman - Bellingham Mountain Rescue

Avalanche Discussion

This will be the last avalanche forecast for the 25-26 season. Mountain weather forecasts will be published each afternoon through May 3rd. NWAC will continue to monitor conditions and issue special avalanche bulletins and warnings as needed. A huge thanks to everyone in our community for your support this winter!

A variety of wet loose avalanches and a few small glide avalanches were visible around the Baker Backcountry in West North. Wet avalanches were seen on all aspects at mid elevations, with most on slopes receiving the direct sun. Most were less than D2, though a few larger ones were spotted on very large southwest-facing slopes near the Canadian border. Patches of dry snow remained at 5000 feet, but overall, the snow surface has been affected by warming across all aspects. Similar wet avalanche activity was reported from Snoqualmie Pass over the past few days.

Large amounts of wind transport and a single human-triggered wind slab were reported from high alpine terrain on Mt. Baker on Saturday. Wind slab formation was generally limited to areas above 7,000 feet, as crust caps the snowpack below that elevation and had locked in place any remaining soft snow.

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