Stevens Pass

Avalanches are unlikely. On Sunday, temperatures will be cooler with some breaks in the clouds during the second half of the day.  You may see rollerballs and moist snow on steep, sunny slopes, especially at upper elevations.

Temperatures have been quite warm for this time of year, and the snowpack has been slowly adjusting with rollerballs being reported the past couple of days. Some of these have grown large, though haven't been much of a hazard. Slopes above 5,500ft may have escaped the warm temperatures and Saturday's light rain, enough to stay dry. Cooling temperatures will begin on Sunday and continue that night. With some partial clearing in the afternoon, it wouldn't be impossible for small loose wet avalanches to run or be triggered on steep, sunny slopes that previously stayed dry at upper elevations.

A couple of rounds of easterly winds have blown, and snow drifted into thicker drifts. On most slopes, expect about a foot of storm snow from the past week to sit over thin crusts from the third week in December. Observers have reported weaker, sugary snow beneath or in between these crusts. This structure is somewhat widespread around the region, though hasn't been problematic for avalanches. However, some tests have shown potential for propagation, so it's worth knowing about.  Travel conditions and coverage are still thin but possible in middle and upper elevations. Beware of hitting exposed rocks, stumps, and creeks, especially at lower elevations. 

Stevens Pass Ski Area is open. Check uphill policies HERE. You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE.