Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

A wet multi-day storm will drag out while tapering on Monday with cooling temperatures and strong wind. Wet avalanches could still occur naturally, and some could be very large. Be prepared for wet, or crusty snow conditions, and don't linger in or under avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    If you decide to brave the wet conditions, don't stop or linger in runouts where avalanches could come down from above. Wet avalanches could be large and destructive and could start in terrain well-above where you can see.

    Smaller loose wet avalanches may be more common, but keep in mind the consequences of larger wet slab avalanches. If enough rainwater reaches the weak layer, these larger avalanches will be much more dangerous conditions. The facets of the January Drought Layer layer are 2-3 feet below the surface and will be very weak once they get wet.

    (2/4/2024)

    An example of a very large wet avalanche, D3, on Cowboy Mtn occurred last season.

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

While rain fell on many slopes, there is some terrain in the zone (above 6,500ft) that will receive mostly snow. If you manage to make it to upper elevations, you may encounter colder, snowier conditions. Strong winds could form fresh wind slabs on the highest ridges resulting in dangerous conditions.

A widespread cycle of natural wet avalanches occurred on Sunday, during early to mid-morning. Heavy rain picked up in the afternoon, and we suspect another cycle ensued. There were many small to large avalanches (D1-2) on Lichtenberg Mtn, the Wellington path, the Skyline Lake area, and in closed terrain at Stevens Pass resort. At least one D2.5 avalanche was observed in the Swath path in the White Pine drainage with other larger avalanches near Berne on Nason Ridge.

While the snow at the January Drought Layer has been rounding, it's still weak enough to be a problem once it gets wet. These are the perfect conditions for a wet slab avalanche cycle. 

 

 

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