Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A wet and potent storm will bring very dangerous conditions by Saturday afternoon. You may encounter wet avalanches running naturally on steep slopes. Watch for rollerballs and natural avalanches as signs of the danger and avoid traveling under steep slopes where slides could come down from above. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Loose wet avalanches will be the most common type to encounter today. If you see weak, moist snow that slides easily or natural avalanches, stick to lower-angle terrain.

    The potential for larger wet slabs involving older weak layers brings serious consequences. Facets of the January Drought Layer layer are 2-3 feet below the surface and will become very weak once they get wet. Use extra caution if you see avalanches gouging deep into the snowpack or wet slabs breaking on deeper weak layers. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    You can expect avalanches where you find 6" or more of new snow. The terrain above 6,000ft should receive mostly snow, but even there, it will come in warm and heavy. Moderate southwest winds will make avalanches even more likely on leeward sides of ridges.

    Watch for avalanches and cracking in the new snow. Use small test slopes and frequent informal tests to see how easily the snow slides. Stick to smaller slopes and confined terrain. If you experience whumpfing collapses or see avalanches break into deeper layers, you should avoid all avalanche terrain. See more below.

    (12/24/2024)

    Intentionally triggered storm slab on a steep convex roll in the Stevens Pass Backcountry. 

    SS-AS-R2-D1-I

     

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Expect a massive spike in avalanche danger Saturday night through Sunday. We anticipate a widespread cycle of natural avalanches by Sunday. Some of these could be very large and could run on deeper weak layers. While the snow at the January Drought Layer has been rounding, water will quickly weaken. This could be perfect conditions for a widespread wet slab avalanche cycle. 

 

 

Regions covered