Lawinenlagebericht

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

With ongoing snow and warm temperatures on Monday, you could trigger avalanches, both wet and dry. Use caution where a slide could push you into consequential features like cliffs or trees. Check the upper snowpack to see how moist or frozen the snow is and how easily it slides. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    At upper elevations, you may be able to trigger avalanches in dry snow. Use quick tests and small test slopes to look for signs of instabilities in the new and recent snow. Use caution on slopes over 35 degrees, and steer around convex and unsupported terrain features. If you see signs of recent wind-loading, steer around steep, leeward terrain features.

    Another 5" of snow with warming temperatures will add to what could be 1.5-2 feet of snow since January 28th. At upper elevations, you'll likely find this resting on a crust. Due to the recent stormy weather and difficult travel, we have no recent information from upper elevations, and our uncertainty is high. Be ready to make your own assessments.

    (1/9/2026)

    A cornice-fall triggered slab avalanche likely occurred between late Jan 8-9th. Big Chief Mtn, SE, 5,650ft SS-NC-D2-S

    Photo: WSDOT

  • Loose Wet

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

    You may be able to trigger wet avalanches in steep, open terrain where the recent snow is on a smooth surface. Use caution on very steep slopes and around terrain traps, where a small avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or creeks. Check how easily the new and recent snow slides as you move through the mountains. It may be difficult to trigger these avalanches on many slopes that lack sufficient snow, where the surfaces are rough.

Avalanche Discussion

Sunday will feature dynamic conditions, with new snow and rising temperatures. You can expect 3-4" of snow during the day on recently moist surfaces. While this scenario is tough to forecast, it will be easy to manage once you're in the mountains. If you find 4-6" (or more) of snow that slides easily, you should be prepared to trigger avalanches and consider lower-angle terrain. If the snow is sticky and moist, expect wet avalanches. Once you get above 5,000ft, start looking for dry snow. If you find it, use quick tests to identify any weak interfaces that the snow slides on. Pay close attention to the underlying crust, 1-2 feet below the surface, that was buried on the 28th. This got moist and wetted at least up to 5,300ft, but it could still be dry at upper elevations.

On Sunday, an NWAC Forecaster found 2-3" of new snow resting on a partially frozen crust. Avalanches were difficult to trigger at lower elevations. Most of the top 2 feet of the snowpack was moist, including the 1/28 crust. Thursday through Sunday brought snow, rain, and warming to Stevens Pass. By Sunday, over 2" of water equivalent added up to 20cm of moist snow at 5,000ft. We're uncertain about upper elevations, but we suspect that there's quite a bit more recent snow there.

Snow depths vary due to the lack of snow during January. Particularly on sunny slopes, you can find less than 3 feet of snow and patches of bare ground.  You can expect deeper coverage on the north half of the compass, with 6-8 feet of snow on the ground above 5,000ft. The mountains feature plenty of open holes, creeks, and exposed rocks. 

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