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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Highlights

You may be able to trigger small wind slab avalanches above 6,000ft. You can see rollerballs and small wet avalanches if the sun comes out. Expect another day of cool temperatures and light precipitation with some breaks in the clouds and enough wind to transport snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    You may be able to trigger avalanches in shallow drifts of snow on leeward sides of ridges. Watch for blowing snow and shooting cracks as clues to the danger. The freshly drifted slabs will likely be resting on or just above a crust. Use small test slopes to check how well the new snow is bonded to older snow.

    You might find moist snow and rollerballs on sun-exposed slopes if the sun comes out. We don't expect that there will be enough sun or snow available for this to be a significant hazard.

    (2/27/2024)

    Wind features formed from west wind on a mid-elevation ridge.

    Lanham Creek, 5,500ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Saturday will repeat similar weather to the last few days. Temperatures will remain cool with light precipitation. There could be some sunbreaks, especially in the morning. Westerly winds should be strong enough for wind transport at upper elevations.

You can find 2-8" of recent snow over a crust that is still growing in thickness. Cooling temperatures have helped the upper snowpack freeze to the point that there's no layers of concern below the surface snow. On Thursday, observers at mid- and low elevations reported a pencil-hard crust in the top 3-4" of the snowpack with moist snow beneath. 

Wet avalanches occurred on many slopes last weekend due to the sun and warming temperatures. Steep sun-exposed slopes up to mid-elevations have seen water throughout much of the snowpack. While temperatures have dropped, the snowpack may need some time to freeze solidly.

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