Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures and light rain may create small loose wet avalanches in isolated areas. Keep glide cracks and cornice fall in mind as well, and continue to steer around slopes where these hard-to-predict hazards exist. Expect more significant weather Thursday night and Friday bringing an uptick in the avalanche danger. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A weak overnight freeze followed by light rain to 5000ft Thursday may create the potential for small wet loose avalanches in isolated areas. Of most concern are northerly slopes at mid and low elevations, or anywhere rain falls on dry, cold snow. Precipitation looks to begin early Thursday, with the best chance for wet loose activity by the end of the day. Watch for changing conditions and keep an eye out for fresh rollerballs and pinwheels. Minimize your exposure to large steep open slopes during periods of rain, and stick to lower angled terrain where you encounter a wet unconsolidated upper snowpack. Also, consider the consequences of even a small avalanche in exposed or confined terrain. Avalanches not large enough to bury you could still cause harm if they knock you off your feet, or carry you into trees or rocks. 

    (3/13/2021) A D1.5 wet loose avalanche that gouged below surface snow and likely ran on the March 12th. Lichtenberg Mtn, SE, 4,400ft

Avalanche Discussion

Expect increasing danger by Friday as temperatures cool and new snow and wind form fresh slabs at upper elevations. Generally safe avalanche conditions will continue Thursday. Snow surfaces are variable with cold, dry snow lingering in northerly upper elevation terrain, while firm crusts can be found in most other areas. Small loose wet avalanches could be triggered on steep slopes at lower elevations later in the day. Use normal caution, and move off of steep slopes if you begin to sink into wet snow deeper than your ankle.  Although the avalanche danger remains Low, keep the following on your mind:

1. Observers have been reporting sporadic cornice fall. There are also a number of glide cracks opening up. Consider avoiding travel underneath or near these difficult to predict hazards as you enter bigger or more complex terrain.

2. There may be just enough new snow and wind for isolated wind slab avalanches in upper elevation terrain. Steer around areas that appear loaded and deeper on steep and consequential slopes. You can use small, wind-loaded test slopes to check how the new snow is bonding to older surfaces. 

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.

Regions covered