Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Stevens Pass.
Generally good stability is expected Sunday, but evaluate lee slopes near and above treeline for local wind slab and be aware of small loose avalanches that could be problematic near terrain traps.
Detailed Forecast
Another day of weak flow aloft and cool snow levels with mainly afternoon/evening shower activity is expected Sunday.  New snow amounts are expected to be light Saturday night and Sunday.   Â
There haven't been many reports of wind slab, but isolated pockets of wind slab may linger on traditional lee westerly aspects from recent storms near and above treeline. Â
It's April, so be aware of increased solar input reaching more aspects and affecting the snow surface more quickly than winter-time. Loose wet avalanches involving recent storm snow will be possible Sunday. Varying amounts of cloud cover Sunday will make the regional loose wet likelihood hard to pin down.Â
Small loose dry avalanches are also possible on non-solar aspects. Loose dry avalanches won't be listed as a top avalanche problem, but be aware of fast moving sluffs knocking you off your feet and into unintended terrain traps on steeper slopes.Â
Due to the continued cool weather, cornices won't be listed as an avalanche problem either but use caution on slopes below cornices and on ridges where it can be hard to know if a cornice is present.
Snowpack Discussion
Periods of active weather and mountain snowfall have finally been graced the PNW since about mid March onward, and led to a few natural avalanche cycles. The largest avalanche cycle during this time period was observed in the Mt Rainier area March 25th and mainly above treeline due to rapid warming following heavy snowfall.
A front moved across the Northwest Tuesday followed by showers and rapid cooling. Storm snow from this system ranged from about 3-10 inches along the west slopes except at Snoqualmie Pass where 15-20 inches fell Tuesday night. A small natural cycle occurred at Alpental likely during heavy loading early Wednesday, but overall the new snow came with little to no avalanche activity. A front on Friday night brought another 1-4 inches across the west slopes.Â
The average freezing levels for April have taken a major dive compared to much of this winter, averaging between 3-4000 ft since April 1st. This has helped feed the backcountry reports from across the Cascades near and above treeline of cool, preserved snow on non-solar aspects with limited wind effects, along with gradual storm snow settlement and generally a good bond to the previous crust.  On solar aspects, sun breaks even during low freezing levels have caused generally small loose wet avalanches. Sun crusts may now be found on solar aspects. Â
Snowpack problems west of the crest should remain in the upper or surface layers. The mid and lower snowpack west of the crest consists of layers of stable consolidated rounded grains or melt forms and crusts from multiple warm periods this season. Many areas at the low elevations do not have enough snow to cause an avalanche danger.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Wind Slabs form in specific areas, and are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features. They can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind-scoured areas..
Wind Slab avalanche. Winds blew from left to right. The area above the ridge has been scoured, and the snow drifted into a wind slab on the slope below.
Wind slabs can take up to a week to stabilize. They are confined to lee and cross-loaded terrain features and can be avoided by sticking to sheltered or wind scoured areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1
Loose Wet
Release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. They generally move slowly, but can contain enough mass to cause significant damage to trees, cars or buildings. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Travel when the snow surface is colder and stronger. Plan your trips to avoid crossing on or under very steep slopes in the afternoon. Move to colder, shadier slopes once the snow surface turns slushly. Avoid steep, sunlit slopes above terrain traps, cliffs areas and long sustained steep pitches.
Several loose wet avalanches, and lots of pinwheels and roller balls.
Loose wet avalanches occur where water is running through the snowpack, and release at or below the trigger point. Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or tree wells. Exit avalanche terrain when you see pinwheels, roller balls, a slushy surface, or during rain-on-snow events.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1