Lawinenlagebericht

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

If you see moist snow, rollerballs, or recent wet slides, plan to move to lower-angle slopes and stay out from under steep overhead terrain. Warm snow and rain will shift our concerns to wet avalanches. Stay alert to changing weather and the onset of rain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    Rain will fall on new and recent snow. Most wet avalanches will be small, but some could gouge deeply into the recent snow. Be ready for dynamic conditions. If the day starts with snowfall, be ready for shallow storm slab conditions and an imminent switch to rain. Wet avalanches can be forceful enough to injure you or push you into other hazards, even if they're not big enough to bury you. If you see many natural avalanches or large wet slides, stick to low-angle terrain out from under any steep slopes.

    Snow will start overnight and switch to rain on Monday, likely by dawn. However, it could be as late as 12p. The biggest uncertainties are the timing of the switch from snow to rain, and how much precipitation will fall as rain. This will affect how large and widespread wet avalanches will be.

    (3/3/2026)

    An example of a natural wet loose avalanche in the Stevens Pass backcountry. N, 4500ft. 

    Photo: Stevens Pass Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

A major warming trend and rain will bring an end to the recent return of winter weather. Winds will be strong at upper elevations, but it won't be long before old snow becomes difficult to transport.

From the 11-14th, professionals and observers reported an impressive cycle of large to very large natural and triggered avalanches. on the 13th and 14th, avalanche professionals at both Stevens Pass Ski Area and WSDOT triggered very large (size D2.5-3) avalanches. By the 15th, avalanches were becoming more difficult to trigger, and the storm snow was bonding well.

From March 8-13th, Stevens Pass received 7.5" of water equivalent falling as over 4 feet of snow. A few crusts formed during this week-long storm cycle (on the 8th and 12th). Some of these formed short-lived weak layers. As more rain sends water through the snowpack, there's a chance that wet slabs could occur around crusts or older weak snow from February, now over 5 feet below the surface. 

At upper elevations, we have limited information. Older weak layers from February would be difficult to trigger, but they may not have been wetted as they were at lower elevations. Be ready to assess the upper elevation snowpack if you travel there. Consider the consequences of falling in wet, deep snow. Holes around boulders and creeks may be barely covered and could lead to a dangerous fall. Make sure to keep close tabs on your partners in case you need to rescue them. 

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