Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ongoing light snow and wind will build fresh, shallow slabs at upper elevations. Be cautious near ridge crests and convex rollovers. Stay alert as you transition into wind-affected terrain, and continue to give cornices a wide berth. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    West winds may be just enough to drift snow at upper elevations and add to the wind slabs that formed since Friday.  Look for thicker, wind drifted areas and subtly sculpted snow as indicators. Avoid wind-loaded convex rolls and unsupported features. Use caution on steep north slopes above 6,000ft where weak snow was buried on the 18th which could slide easily. You can avoid these avalanches by sticking to wind-sheltered terrain or slopes under 35 degrees.  

    (3/8/2021) An example of wind textured snow with a shallow wind slab in White Pine Cirque. NE, 6,400ft.

Avalanche Discussion

Unsettled weather will continue through the weekend. New snow and wind will drive avalanche concerns at upper elevations, while the hazard will remain limited below treeline. Expect the avalanche danger to increase Sunday night into Monday. As is typical for this time of year, there's uncertainty in the weather forecast and snowfall amounts. 

Keep cornices in mind. Give them plenty of room when traveling on ridges and stay out from under them while on slopes below. Several large glide cracks and a few glide avalanches were observed recently as well. If you notice crevasse-like cracks in the snowpack, avoid these slopes and areas below. 

On Friday observers found about 3 inches of snow that fell overnight. Slopes above treeline received just enough southwest wind for shallow wind slabs. An observer near Jim Hill reported a few small loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes. While deep persistent slab avalanches are dormant and unlikely, the snowpack structure can still be found in the zone. The mid-January crust-facet layer is now 8-9 feet below the surface and shows signs of strengthening. The last known deep slab avalanche in this zone was on March 1, and one was suspected in the West South zone on March 3. Major warming events later in spring and summer could trigger further rounds of avalanches on this layer. 

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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