Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Sun, warm temperatures, and a lack of freeze will maintain heightened avalanche danger. Large slabs of snow could fall off rocks and cliffs, and you may be able to trigger wet avalanches on sunny slopes. Don't linger on steep slopes with unsupportive wet snow or under snow-covered rock features.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Be aware of steep, overhead terrain. Don't linger under snow-covered cliffs, slabs of rocks, or other vertical features that could shed snow. Glide avalanches, cornices, and large chunks of snow can intiate avalanches and could be big enough to kill you on their own.

    Many rock features and slabs are still holding snow and could continue to shed with ongoing warm temperatures and sun. While the chances of getting hit by a glide avalanche aren't significant, the consequences are. 

    (1/13/2026)

    Multiple avalanches (up to size D2) just outside the Stevens Pass Ski Area boundary above Lake Susan Jane. These likely occurred between the night of the 11th and the morning of the 13th. Some may have initiated due to glide or cornice releases. Lumiere Ridge, NE, 5,200-5,600ftWL-N-D2-O

    Photo: Stevens Patrol

  • Loose Wet

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

    Pay attention to surface conditions. If you sink into wet, unusupportive snow or see roller balls and wet avalanches increasing during the day, move to more shaded and lower-angle terrain. Don't linger under steep slopes where avalanches could come down from above.

    Warm temperatures and sun will increase the potential for wet-snow avalanches on sun-exposed slopes, especially at upper elevations, due to temperature inversions. The danger will increase as the day goes on. If you're braving challenging travel, be ready to assess wet-snow instability as it evolves across the terrain and over time. 

    (1/12/2026)

    A natural wet loose avalanche (size D1.5) on Lichtenberg Mtn. This occurred late night/early AM Jan 11-12. SE, 4,400ft

    (WL-N-D1.5-O)

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

On Wednesday, open slopes had semi-frozen surfaces, but the crust wasn't supportive for walking. No new avalanches were reported since the 13th. Clear skies and temperature inversions have allowed the snow surface to cool, but have also kept upper elevations very hot.

Avalanche professionals and NWAC forecasters reported a widespread natural wet avalanche cycle on the 12-13th following 1.4" starting on the 11th. Most avalanches were large, and some ran long distances, gouging through much of the recent storm snow. While many rock features released large chunks and glide avalanches, No crowns or slab avalanches were reported.

The January 3rd melt-freeze crust is 1.5-2 feet below the surface. Melt water also pooled at other interfaces in the upper snowpack. The continued warm temperatures raise concern for deeper wet avalanches at these interfaces. While wet slab avalanches are unlikely and very hard to forecast, they're important to keep in mind. These dangerously large avalanches could become a concern in future days.

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