Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Friday will be another mostly clear, calm day, with temperatures well above freezing. You can trigger avalanches on steep, sunny slopes and at upper elevations where the wind drifted slabs of snow. Use caution on steep slopes holding snow, especially just below ridges. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for textured features and recently drifted snow to indicate wind-loaded slopes. Avalanches could be large enough to bury you, and at least 2 feet deep over a crust. Use caution on slopes over 35 degrees, and steer around steep, convex roll-overs. If you see long cracks shooting through the snow or recent avalanches, stick to low-angle slopes or wind-sheltered terrain.

    On Wednesday into Wednesday night, snow fell on a refreezing crust with strong westerly winds. Use quick hand pits and small, test slopes to check how easily the snow slides as you gain elevation or move into wind-loaded terrain. 

    (3/26/2026)

    Cross-loaded, wind-textured snow and a partially filled-in crowns of recent avalanches (D2). White Pine ck, 6,900ft, N-NE

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Loose Wet

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

    As the snow surface warms and the crust breaks down, watch for moist snow, rollerballs, and natural wet avalanches to indicate increasing danger. If you see these signs, stay out from under steep, overhead terrain. Give yourself options to move to lower-angle or shadier slopes. Use caution where avalanches could push you into rocks, trees, and other terrain traps.

    Expect mostly clear skies and much warmer temperatures than on Thursday. You'll find clearer skies east of the Cascade Crest. 

    (3/26/2026)

    A small, skier-triggered wet loose avalanche (D1). Stormies, 4,300ft, E

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

By Thursday morning, Stevens Pass picked up 12-18"over a crust that was buried on the 25th. Westerly winds were strong on Wednesday night. Sun-exposed southeast through west aspects warmed, and some produced wet avalanches. Expect a crust on most sunny slopes on Friday morning. 

On the 26th, an NWAC forecaster in the Skyline Lake area found that the new snow was well-bonded to the crust. The 3/25 crust was +pencil-hard and ~4 inches thick.On the 16-20th, 5 inches of rain brought a couple of rounds of wet avalanches, including wet slabs and cornice falls. You may still see some debris from the cycle of large avalanches later that week. Snow cover is thin on many slopes. Be aware of exposed rocks, open creeks, and deep holes. These could be dangerous travel hazards if you fall into them.

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