Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

With yet another warm, sunny day in store, you could still trigger wet avalanches on steep slopes. Northerly aspects and upper elevations might be more susceptible than sunny slopes that have been cooking for a few days. Cornice falls, and snow shedding from cliffs are also possible, don't linger for long beneath these hazards. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The warm spell continues, and even though it's been days of this warm weather, we can't write off wet avalanches yet. You could still trigger wet snow avalanches on steep slopes. While loose avalanches are often shallow and predictable, they could pick up significant debris and still be dangerous if they catch you off guard. Use small test slopes to see how easily the snow slides before committing to bigger terrain. Use caution near terrain traps, where an avalanche could push you into rocks, trees, or gullies. Travel one at a time and stop out from under steep slopes where others are traveling.With prolonged warming, unpredictable wet avalanches can become more common. Steep rocky terrain and remaining cornices could shed naturally, so avoid snack breaks beneath these overhead hazards. Southerly aspects have seen significant warming and sunshine recently, so there is less snow to push around. Upper elevations, particularly shady slopes might still have more dry snow that will slide easier when it warms up. 

    (4/4/2026)

    Steep, but small, test slopes like this one are good for observing how easily wet snow slides. In this case, on Saturday, very easily. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

After another warm day on Monday, clouds should roll in by the late afternoon or early evening. While we won't likely see more than a sprinkle of precipitation, it should allow temperatures to cool and help limit wet avalanche conditions moving forward. 

On Saturday, an NWAC forecaster on Skyline Ridge found that it was easy to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes warming in the sun. Northerly aspects had a breakable surface crust, but we expect that even northerly aspects at mid-elevations have seen significant warming by now. You might still find dry snow at the highest elevations on steep, due-north terrain. 

Prepare for low snow cover, open creeks, and icy surfaces, which create various travel hazards. 

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