Stevens Pass

While avalanches are generally unlikely, you may find isolated pockets of wind drifted snow where you could trigger a small avalanche. Use caution in terrain where a small slide could have significant consequences and bring appropriate equipment to prevent long sliding falls on hard, icy crusts. 

There is some uncertainty about the potential for low cloud cover, but we expect Thursday to start with clear, sunny skies before becoming increasingly cloudy in the afternoon. With filtered sunshine in the afternoon, we don't expect significant wet, loose avalanche activity. However, you should monitor the surface conditions, and if the snow starts to feel wet and punchy, move to lower angles or shady slopes. 

Earlier this week, Stevens Pass picked up a few inches of snow and northern aspects still hold some soft dry snow despite the warm temperatures. Recent winds may have formed isolated shallow wind slabs at upper elevations in very steep confined alpine features. These likely won't pose much of a hazard unless you are in extreme terrain where getting knocked off balance could have high consequences. Sunny aspects harbor thick, icy crusts and long sliding falls are also a significant hazard. Be sure to be prepared with appropriate equipment for travel on these icy surfaces. An avalanche forecaster on Wednesday on the Skyline trail found several treacherous, deep trenches dug into the road and surrounding slopes, many of which were beneath steep, blind rolls where skiers and riders cut switchbacks in the open meadow. If you're skiing or riding down, you could easily fall into one by accident and break your leg. If you dig trenches - or maybe snow caves (it's hard to tell what they were), please fill them in after you're done with them, especially in high-use areas. 

If you make it into the backcountry, please share with us what you find by submitting an observation HERE or on the Avy app.