Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are generally unlikely, but not impossible. Many snow-covered rock faces and large cornices loom, and if one fell, it could be big enough to kill you. Don't linger under these features, and stay alert to the potential for wet snow on steep, sunny slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Be aware of steep, overhead terrain. Don't linger under snow-covered cliffs, slabs of rocks, or other vertical features that could shed snow. Glide avalanches, cornices, and large chunks of snow can initiate avalanches and could be big enough to kill you on their own.

    Many rock features and slabs are still holding snow and could continue shedding as warm temperatures and sun persist. While glide avalanches have been rare, the consequences are are serious.

    (1/13/2026)

    Multiple avalanches (up to size D2) just outside the Stevens Pass Ski Area boundary above Lake Susan Jane. These likely occurred between the night of the 11th and the morning of the 13th. Some may have initiated due to glide or cornice releases. Lumiere Ridge, NE, 5,200-5,600ftWL-N-D2-O

    Photo: Stevens Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

Observations have been very limited. We don't have evidence of avalanche activity in the Stevens Pass zone in the last few days, but glide avalanches occurred at both Snoqualmie Pass and in the Mt Baker backcountry on the 15th and 16th. Even as other wet avalanches are unlikely, pay attention to surface conditions. If you sink into wet, unsupportive snow or see recent roller balls or wet avalanches, move to more shaded and lower-angle terrain. Don't linger under steep slopes where avalanches could come down from above.

The east wind kept temperatures slightly cooler on Friday. Radiational cooling has maintained frozen crusts even where the temperatures have been above freezing. On Thursday, sunny mid-elevation slopes softened, but the surface crust never fully melted. No new avalanches have been reported since the 13th. Clear skies and temperature inversions have allowed the snow surface to cool, but have also kept upper elevations hot. The prolonged lack of freezing temperatures raises concerns for another round of wet avalanches. 

Avalanche professionals and NWAC forecasters reported a widespread wet avalanche cycle on the 12-13th with a significant rain event. Most avalanches were large, and some ran long distances, gouging through much of the recent storm snow. While many rock features released large chunks and glide avalanches, no crowns or slab avalanches were reported.

The January 3rd melt-freeze crust is 1.5-2 feet below the surface. Liquid water ran through the upper snowpack to this layer. Other than the entire snowpack peeling off of rock slabs, there's little indicator that wet avalanches would be a concern on deeper layers.

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