Stevens Pass

Sharply dropping temperatures will quickly lower the avalanche danger. We expect any lingering concerns about avalanches in wind-drifted snow to be isolated to extremely steep, confined features. Use normal caution, practice good travel techniques, and frequently assess conditions if traveling in complex, aggressive terrain at upper elevations. 

Sharply decreasing temperatures and increasing ridgeline winds will end the springlike conditions in our mountains. This weak storm might bring a dusting of snow to Stevens Pass, but expect much more wind than precipitation. Many surfaces are already wind-affected or have melt-freeze crusts, so we don't expect this uptick in winds to form new wind slabs of much significance. Older wind slabs are becoming more difficult to trigger this far out from the storm, and we expect these lingering slabs to be far and few between. But the most likely places you could still trigger a slide are at upper elevations, in very steep unsupported terrain, or in confined rocky chutes. This is also the same terrain where a small avalanche could have high consequences, so consider this potential before stepping out into more complex, aggressive terrain. 

After the active weekend, mild temperatures and sunny skies helped strengthen weak interfaces and brought a round of natural wet loose avalanches to the area. On Tuesday and Wednesday, observers in the Stevens Pass zone reported rollerballs and small, wet loose avalanches on steep, southern slopes. These same slopes now also have a 1-inch thick melt-freeze crust on the surface. Observations indicate that even northerly aspects warmed up at mid-elevations and may also have a very thin crust. At lower elevations, prepare for challenging travel on breakable crusts and refrozen chunder under the forest canopy. 

Let us know what you see when you're in the mountains by submitting an observation.