Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Large, dangerous avalanche could have a slight uptick in activity with the added snow we're receiving Tuesday night and Wednesday. Alternatively, new and shallower layers of wind-drifted snow could avalanche with a human trigger. In both circumstances, avoid steep, wind loaded slopes, especially as you gain elevation and shift your travels to lower angle, sheltered terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering an avalanche in a wind-loaded area that breaks on a deeper, underlying weak layer and propagates further than expected is likely on Wednesday. These avalanches could surprise you, even in slightly lower angle terrain than you're used to seeing avalanches run on, making careful terrain choices important. Avoid large, steep slopes, especially in areas with recent wind loading and as you make your way towards higher elevations.

    Facets and surface hoar are buried about 1.5 feet deep and are widespread across aspects and elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches have happened since last week on these underlying weak layers. There has been less activity noted in the last few days, but we're moving into an active storm cycle and there's a chance there will be an uptick in avalanche activity on these weak layers. 

    (2/28/2026)

    Multiple widely breaking avalanches (up to D2.5) on the southeast aspect of the South Peak of Rock Mtn. SE-S, 5,800ft-6,600ft. Similar ones may occur with added snow on Wednesday. 

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Steer around pockets of newly wind-drifted snow in steep areas with deposits greater than about 6 inches. Drifts tend to build on leeward sides of ridges, around rocky outcroppings and other features, and in gullies. Avalanches in the new snow on Wednesday probably won't be too large, but in areas of higher consequence like above cliffs, rocks or trees, or in gullies,  they could still seriously harm or kill you. 

    Search for textured snow or smooth, rounded surfaces. Feel for heavier or hollow snow beneath you. Identify clues like long, shooting cracks and recent avalanches. These are all signs to shift your travels to lower angle or more sheltered terrain. Danger will increase as you gain elevation.

    (3/3/2026)

    Long shooting crack in obviously wind loaded terrain. Note the wind lips below the crack, and the avalanche that's already happened to the left. Areas like there  are good places to avoid on Wednesday. 

     

  • Loose Wet

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

    Lower elevations are soggy, having received mostly rain during this storm. Steep slopes that have a thick, wet layer of snow that you're sinking more than a few inches deep in could produce rollerballs or wet avalanches. There could also be natural avalanches in this layer of soft, wet snow. If you see natural avalanches, or you're sinking past your ankles in wet snow, stick to lower-angle terrain and steer clear of the bottom of steep paths that an avalanche might run down to. 

    (3/3/2026)

    A natural wet loose avalanche in the Dogwood Chute area. N, 4500ft. 

    Photo: Stevens Pass Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

After a hot, sunny few days, we're finally seeing cooling temperatures and precipitation. Snowlines should drop to about pass level by Wednesday morning. Higher elevations could see around 6 inches of wind-affected snow. At lower elevations, you might be able to push wet snow, resulting in rollerballs or small wet slides on steep slopes where you're sinking a few inches or more into wet snow. 

We're adding weight to the snowpack, and now have smaller new snow avalanche concerns in addition to the larger persistent slab issue we've been worrying about for the last several days. Smaller avalanches in the new snow could trigger larger avalanches in the persistent layer, so even if a new slide doesn't seem like it has much consequence, consider the added potential of stepping down if you choose to enter steeper terrain. 

Last week, a large wind event loaded slopes, and subsequent natural and human-triggered avalanches occurred across a wide range of wind-loaded slopes over 30°. Two people were caught and carried in separate slab avalanches. Layers of facets and surface hoar were buried 10-18" deep before this storm, and the underlying 2/8 crust is 12-20" deep.  At upper elevations, there may be more snow above these layers and potentially weaker interfaces. With the uncertainty of this new storm, consider this a good day to stick to lower-angle, more sheltered terrain. 

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