Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

On Friday, warm temperatures and light rain will keep the snowpack slow to freeze. There's still a chance that you could trigger avalanches in very steep terrain, especially at upper elevations. Continue to stay out from under snow-covered rock slabs and cornices and give the snowpack time to adjust to the recent snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    If you find wet, unsupportive snow, stick to slopes under 35 degrees. Until the snowpack has time to freeze solidly, you should keep wet avalanches on your mind. Don't linger under cornices or precariously hanging blocks of snow.

    In some places, travel conditions may pose a greater hazard than avalanches. Where you find thick, supportive surface crusts, the danger is likely low. We have very little info from upper elevations, other than some observations of large debris piles. On high-elevation leeward slopes, you may encounter wind slab avalanche conditions. Be ready to make your own assessments

    (3/31/2024)

    An example of a wet loose avalanche from last season

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

A major storm on the 17-18th left the zone reeling from 3.25" of water equivalent (at least 1" as rain or freezing rain) and strong winds. A widespread cycle of avalanches occurred on Tuesday night into Wednesday. Many avalanches were loose wet of size D1-2 with a few observations of slab avalanches up to D2.5.

On Thursday, Stevens Pass Patrol reported that many surfaces have a mostly supportive crust. A freezing rain crust capped the snowpack and prevented water from saturating the snow. On Wednesday, an NWAC forecaster reported numerous natural avalanches, including some as big as D2.5. Below 4,000ft, there was evidence of more rain-soaked snow.  Near ridgetops, especially at upper elevations, you may find drier, wind-drifted slabs. The storm made travel difficult with thick crusts and rushing creeks.

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