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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger avalanches at upper elevations just below ridges. Shifting wind and light snow will continue to drift fresh slabs near and above treeline. You'll find shallow recent snow totals at lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You may be able to trigger shallow wind slab avalanches on leeward sides of ridges. Winds have shifted between southeast and southwest over the past four days. Expect strong southeast gusts on Monday morning. Triggered avalanches will be small, and you can avoid them by steering around pillows and drifts on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. You may be able to trigger avalanches easily on steep, southeast through southwest aspects where the new snow rests on slick crusts. Use caution to stay off of cornices, as they could break easily under your feet and possibly trigger an avalanche. Even in areas where wind slab avalanches aren't big enough to be a problem, a falling cornice could be enough to knock you off your feet.

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, observers reported about 2" of new becoming cohesive and sliding easily with warming temperatures in the afternoon. You can find 5-8" of recent snow, since the 4th, resting on old surfaces. Just to the east, higher snow totals exist near Leavenworth and the Wenatchee mountains.

On Saturday, I found small reactive cornices and very shallow wind drifting on Big Chief Mtn. There was aslo significant riming on trees and older snow surfaces from the past week. On Thursday, an observer just east of the zone, on Dirtyface Mountain reported 3-5" of new snow that slid easily on slick crusts. The new/old snow interface is variable. You may find shallow sun crusts on steeper sun-exposed slopes and old wind-stiffened snow near and above treeline.

Regions covered