Stevens Pass

Avalanches are unlikely, though there are some things to keep in mind. There's a chance that you may find recently wind-transported snow at upper elevations.

While the avalanche danger remains Low on Wednesday, a storm is bringing some weather to the zone. Expect cloudy skies, light snow, with some warming in the afternoon. It's unlikely that you'd trigger a wind slab avalanche, though east winds may have drifted thin skiffs of snow at upper elevations. Similarly, steep slopes below 5,000ft could see just enough warming to moisten the surfaces and produce small rollerballs. We don't expect any wet avalanches of concequence.

In recent days, observers have reported small rollerballs on steep sunny slopes and a few small point releases in more shaded, craggy terrain at upper elevations (see photo below). On Sunday, observers on Nimbus Mountain found generally firm travel with light recent snow accumulations over slick and sometimes breakable crusts. Since the last easterly wind event (12/27) and warm temperatures, the zone has received only a skiff of new snow, burying another recent crust. This came on the heels of a few days of very warm temperatures and warming snow surfaces on the 28-30th. Shaded slopes above 6,500ft may've escaped the warm temperatures and Saturday's light rain but likely still hold crusts in the upper snowpack. 

Observers reported small wind slab avalanches on the 27th after a couple of rounds of easterly winds. On most slopes, expect a series of sub-surface crusts in the top foot snow resting on thin crusts from the third week in December. Observers have reported weaker, sugary snow beneath or in between these crusts. This structure is somewhat widespread around the region, though hasn't been problematic for avalanches. Some tests have shown potential for propagation, so it's worth keeping in mind whenever our next significant snowfall arrives.

Travel conditions and coverage are still thin but possible in middle and upper elevations. Beware of hitting exposed rocks, stumps, and creeks, especially at lower elevations. You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE.