Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may still be able to trigger avalanches on steep slopes above treeline where the wind has drifted recent snow. The sun could trigger some very small wet avalanches or rollerballs on steep slopes in the afternoon. Expect a couple of inches of new snow with some sun breaks late in the day. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Search for signs of wind loading by feeling for heavier, thicker snow beneath you. Look for clues such as textured or featured snow surfaces and actively blowing snow. Obvious signs such as cracking, indicate you could trigger an avalanche. If you see this, steer around leeward and cross-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees. You may encounter wind-drifted slabs on a variety of aspects at upper elevations. 

    New snow (up to 3") and wind may create some very thin slabs, but likely won't be enough to add to the hazard. Older slabs formed with westerly and possibly followed by easterly winds. While it's becoming harder to trigger these older drifted slabs, avalanches may still be possible.

    (4/18/2022) Moderate winds were actively loading old and new snow midday Monday. This tiny wind lip was about 8" deep, and little chunks were cracking and running from the small feature. They were not concerning here, but applied to higher elevations and with more snow and wind they could break larger. Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

You may be able to trigger inconsequential rollerballs or possibly very small wet avalanches on sunny slopes if the sun shines long enough. If you see more than 2-3" of new snow, you may be dealing with more dangerous conditions. There's also uncertainty with the cloud cover. Monitor how wet the snow surface gets and how easily the new snow slides. Any new snow will fall on a crust in most places.

Wednesday brought little in the way of weather to create new avalanche danger. On Tuesday, 6-10" of new snow got moist near and below treeline and froze solid overnight. Observers reported that avalanches were easy to trigger and some ran naturally where the sun warmed snow surfaces sufficiently. Wet loose avalanches occurred naturally on all aspects, especially at mid and lower elevations. Observers triggered small slab avalanches, mostly on leeward slopes, where the wind drifted thicker slabs. 

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