Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Increasing snow and wind throughout the day will build stiff wind-drifted slabs where you could trigger an avalanche. Actively blowing snow, long shooting cracks, and recent avalanches are sure signs of the increasing hazard. Steer around steep slopes below ridgelines where these drifts are most likely to form. Due to limited information, uncertainty remains high for this zone. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Actively blowing snow and cornice formations are a great way to identify wind loaded slopes. The most suspect terrain will be steep slopes below ridgelines, confined rocky gullies, and the base of cliffs. As you travel higher into the terrain, wind slabs are likely to be larger and more easily triggered. If you identify natural avalanches, long shooting cracks, or the snow feels hollow, you should head towards low angle slopes or wind sheltered terrain. 

    Winds have been blowing snow around all week, and wind slabs that formed at different times will have variable reactivity. Fresh wind slabs may be very easy to trigger, but relatively small.  Older wind slabs may be larger, harder to trigger, and may not show key warning signs, such as cracking. To reduce your risk, step into new terrain slowly, choose smaller slopes with lower consequences, and consider that it's probably not the day to step out into more extreme terrain. 

    Example photo: Wind drifted snow around features like rock outcroppings, where it's more likely you can trigger an avalanche. Note the wind transported snow visible in this photo. 

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday will bring another 5-6" of snow with cooling temperatures and moderate winds. This storm will intensify throughout the day, so expect avalanche hazard to increase in the afternoon. At lower elevations, a surface crust formed from warm temperatures on Wednesday. 

Over the past week, Stevens has picked up 3-5" of water and nearly doubled our snow depths. A melt freeze crust from December 18th is likely buried 2-4' deep. We have no observations from the upper elevations, but there is a chance this crust does not extend there. Professional avalanche workers noted some signs of instability on this melt-freeze crust. No large avalanches have been reported on this layer, but poor visibility and closed access create significant uncertainty. To mitigate this increased uncertainty, make frequent observations on many small test slopes.  Before you step into new terrain, take extra time to stop and think, "What could happen if you get caught and carried in an avalanche right here?"

Access to the Stevens Pass zone is closed via both sides of Highway 2 due to road damage. When you add recent power outages and bare bones observations, we have very limited information about the snowpack.  Please be patient while WSDOT crews work to reopen the highway.

State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the impacts of destructive storms that occurred earlier this month. We can help by respecting affected communities, complying with road closures, and adhering to ski area uphill travel policies.

Regions covered