Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

As the sun shines expect wet loose avalanches to occur on steep sunny slopes. When you notice the snow getting moist and rollerballs coming down retreat to shady aspects. Consider avoiding steep wind loaded slopes at higher elevations, as slab avalanche are possible in the snow that fell Sunday night.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will slide naturally as sunny slopes warm on Tuesday.  Keep an eye out for rollerballs or pinwheels rolling down steep slopes, especially in areas with rock bands. As the snow moistens, retreat to shady aspects or lower angle terrain. Avoid traveling under steep terrain with wet slopes above you.

    Human triggered wet loose avalanches are likely in steep terrain. Stay aware of your sluffs which may entrain more snow and surprise you from behind as you travel downslope. 

    An example of recent small, natural wet loose avalanches and rollerballs. Expect to see ones like these or larger ones on Tuesday.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Several human triggered slab avalanches occurred on Monday. The avalanches failed beneath the snow which fell Sunday night, 6-8” deep. Snow was most reactive in steep wind loaded areas, although the wind loading was subtle and slabs remained very soft.  Some avalanches appeared more like storm slabs, just requiring slopes in the upper 30 degrees or steeper to slide. By midday, slopes on the southern half of the compass became less reactive as they warmed slightly and stabilized. 

    Tuesday slab avalanches will remain possible to trigger on steep slopes, especially where wind loaded. You may find them more reactive on shady or leeward slopes. Use small test slopes to determine how readily the new snow layer slides on the firmer layer less than a foot down before exposing yourself to larger slopes. Make sure to enter steep slopes from the top where snow would break below you, rather than travelling in from midway on a slope where snow could slide down from above you. Until thoroughly tested, avoid steep wind loaded slopes at higher elevations.

    This D1 wind slab avalanche failed 6-8" deep near Tye Peak yesterday. It was touchy, triggered from the ridgeline, and spanned about 60ft wide. It failed beneath the new storm snow from 3/21-22, about 6-8" deep.

Avalanche Discussion

Maintain awareness of cornices. Give them plenty of room when traveling on ridges and stay out from under them. Several large glide cracks and a few glide avalanches were observed recently as well. If you notice crevasse-like cracks in the snowpack, avoid areas below the cracks. 

While deep persistent slab avalanches are dormant and unlikely, you can still find the snowpack structure in the zone. The mid-January weak layer is now buried 8-9 feet deep 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.

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