Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

On Saturday, you may be able to trigger avalanches in the recent snow on a variety of steep slopes. Avalanches will be bigger and more likely above treeline where you find freshly drifted slabs of snow. Snowfall will taper off but the east wind will maintain dangerous conditions as it transports the recent snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    In many sheltered areas, you can trigger small avalanches on steep slopes. Loose, incohesive snow could slide below your feet or machine. While these avalanches often are easier to avoid once triggered, they can be dangerous at times. Be especially cautious in very steep terrain near rocks, cliffs, tight gullies, and other terrain traps. If loose avalanches are particularly forceful or fast, take care to stay out of them and not be below the moving snow.

    (2/28/2023)

    An example of small loose avalanches in the neighboring East Central zone.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Watch for patterns of drifting and any actively blowing snow to point out the more dangerous leeward and loaded slopes. You can use a probe or pole to feel for deeper, stiffer drifts of snow. Steer around steep convexities and pillowed drifts on wind-loaded slopes. You can always choose safer terrain at lower elevations or on wind-sheltered slopes.

    On Saturday, east winds will be strong enough to form fresh drifts. Avalanches will be bigger and easier to trigger above treeline. Pay close attention to which terrain features are getting loaded by the wind. Easterly winds get channeled in unique ways along the Stevens Pass Highway 2 corridor. You may find older wind features from west winds above treeline.

    (3/3/2023)

    A natural slab avalanche occurred between 2-3p on a leeward and sun-exposed slope, and is believed to have run at the new/old snow  (3/1) interface. Highlands Bowl, SE, 5,600ft

    Photo: Stevens Pass Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, observers reported 15" of light, uncohesive snow. Both light wind drifting and the sun may have helped the new snow gain cohesion throughout the day. Observers reported a natural slab avalanche in Highlands Bowl (SE, 5,600ft, 2-3p) that was about 1 foot deep on a leeward and sun-exposed slope. A natural loose avalanche ran in a typical location on a very steep, sun-exposed slope, below Skyline Lake (SW, 4,800ft).

On Tuesday, two triggered avalanches may have stepped into deeper layers, running on a crust buried around Valentine's Day.  A snowboarder triggered slide on a steep, wind-loaded southeast aspect just outside the Stevens Pass Resort boundary. The slide was approximately 70ft wide and 2.5ft deep, was suspected to run on the crust from mid-February. WSDOT forecasters also triggered a larger slide with a big explosive charge that was wide and over 2ft deep.

 

Regions covered