Stevens Pass

A couple inches of snow may improve travel conditions a little, but expect thin coverage and various degrees of breakable crust in most places. It should be a nice in the mountains with sunshine above a layer of valley fog or low clouds near pass level.

The pass picked up an inch or two of new snow on Tuesday, with snow line rising up to about 4,500ft. This should help travel conditions a tad, although coverage is still thin. Off the beaten paths you'll likely find challenging travel with rough, irregular snow cover and various types of breakable crust below the new snow. Although tricky to ski or snowmobile through, these near crust conditions may be interesting to look at prior to the next storm which is forecast to arrive by Friday. Observers noted a mix of surface hoar, faceting grains, and some rime near, or just above pass level prior to the inch that fell on Tuesday.

The day brings warming temperatures and some sunshine. The few inches of snow that fell may become moist and sticky, especially on slopes that see direct sun. Small rollerballs could initiate on steep slopes, especially if you find more than two inches of new snow. A small wet loose sluff also isn't out of the question for these places, and would be on steep, continuous south facing slopes. If you see these happening then adjust your travel plans accordingly. Beware of open or shallowly covered creeks, rocks and stumps out there.

Irene traveled to Smithbrook on Sunday and found 3ft of snow on average between 4000-5000ft. The bottom half of the snowpack was moist grains, covered by up to two feet of snow that fell Dec 9-10. Rain runnels were present on all surfaces up to 6000ft. South-facing aspects were notably different from other aspects. Having fully transformed to melt-freeze grains, the snowpack was more shallow.

Stevens Pass Ski Area is open. Check uphill policies HERE. You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE.