Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

UPDATE: CONSIDERABLE danger for higher than forecast overnight snow amounts. By Thursday morning, it will be easy to trigger avalanches at middle and upper elevations both on sunny slopes and where the wind drifts snow. Use caution on steep slopes with new snow, especially just below ridges. You can expect 1 foot of recent snow, strong overnight westerly wind, and gradually clearing skies.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for pillowed features and recently drifted snow to indicate wind-loaded slopes. If you find drifts of 6" or more over a crust, use caution on slopes over 35 degrees. Steer around deeper drifts and steep, convex roll-overs. Use caution where avalanches could push you into rocks, trees, or other terrain traps.

    On Wednesday, snow fell on a refreezing crust. Check the bond between the new and old snow. Note how it changes as you gain elevation or move into wind-loaded terrain. Winds will taper off by daylight, so you'll need to look for evidence of overnight wind slab formation.

    (2/27/2026)

    An example of wind transported snow in the Whitepine Creek drainage. North Chiwaukum Mtn, 7,000ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

  • Loose Wet

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

    As the snow surface warms, 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.

    The day will begin with cloudy skies, but should clear, at least partially, by afternoon. You'll find clearer skies east of the Cascade Crest. Expect earlier warming and more widespread wet avalanches the farther east you go.

    (3/3/2026)

    An example of a natural wet loose avalanche in the Stevens Pass backcountry. N, 4500ft. 

    Photo: Stevens Pass Ski Patrol

Avalanche Discussion

By Wednesday evening, Stevens Pass picked up 2-4". 24hr snow totals by Thursday morning are 12-14" at the pass, with significantly less further east. Westerly winds were strong overnight, gusting to 40mph at Tye Mill, (a moderately windy mid-elevation site) but will taper during the day. 

We are uncertain about the bond between the new snow and the most recent crust (3/24). On Tuesday, over 2" of rain broke down a previously stout crust, which then partially refroze by Wednesday morning. As you move through the mountains, you can use quick hand pits and test slopes to see how well the snow is bonded. If you travel to upper elevations, you may find significantly more new snow.

On the 23rd, an NWAC forecaster on Lichtenberg Mtn found supportive crusts from 3,400-5,800ft in a range of terrain. The crust was knife-hard and 10 inches thick, and surfaces softened on sunny slopes.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 most 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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