Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Stay tuned to the changing weather, and be on the lookout for small wind slabs to develop in steep and exposed areas above treeline. Most surfaces are a mix between supportable sun crusts and wind affected snow. Expect danger to rise quickly Friday night into Saturday as a winter storm arrives.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Increasing winds and snowfall during the day should begin to create small, scattered wind slabs. You could trigger a small slab, but you could also travel on most terrain safely. Slabs could grow in size, sensitivity and distribution by the evening as a cold front makes its way in. Especially look for small slabs to develop above treeline, on steep slopes below cornices, and near rocks and cliffs.

    Look for active wind transport of snow near ridgelines and cornices. Look and feel for hollow-sounding snow, textured surfaces, and drifts. When in doubt or if, travel around these features.

    (3/27/2023) You could find a small wind slab near ridgelines. These wind textured surfaces are clues. Photo: Irene Henninger

Avalanche Discussion

Friday should be a transition day, as the next front makes its way into the area. Expect danger to quickly rise overnight Friday into Saturday as a winter storm affects the area with rapidly accumulating snowfall and strong winds.

Most snow surfaces are a mixed bag of sun crusts and at higher elevations, wind affected snow surfaces. If you're lucky, you could still find some soft settled powder on sheltered north facing terrain. Earlier in the week, easterly winds affected many slopes and formed slabs in unusual locations. 

On Monday, NWAC forecasters investigated Sunday's skier-triggered avalanche on Mt Lichtenburg. You can read the original observation HERE and see video below. The skier was the second skier on the slope, and it released above him, catching himself and one other skier parked beneath him. They were partially buried but uninjured. Some weak, faceted snow is likely the layer involved in this avalanche. The distribution and extent of this problem is most likely isolated, but it's worth a quick dig to identify any hard over soft snow layering before committing to consequential terrain. 

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