Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Warming temperatures and sun will maintain a slight chance of small, wet avalanches. These will mostly be inconsequential. Watch for signs of instability like rollerballs and natural wet avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect just enough sun and warming temperatures that you could still see wet avalanches. Surfaces should be frozen in the morning and may soften on some slopes. As typical during spring, pay attention to each slope as you move through the mountains and watch out for areas of unsupportive wet snow. Rollerballs or fresh, wet avalanches are indicators that you could trigger more. You can limit your exposure by moving to more shaded aspects and lower-angled slopes.

    (4/13/2023)

    Wet avalanches on the east aspects of Wedge Mtn in the neighboring East Central zone.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

On Friday, observers on Rock Mountain reported thawing "corn" conditions on southerly slopes with some recent wet loose avalanches above treeline. On northerly aspects, they found cold, dry snow with no recent drifting or signs of wind slab avalanche hazard.

on some slopes above treeline,  you be able to find older wind-drifted slabs. While triggering wind slab avalanches is unlikely, look for signs of instability like cracks shooting through the snow. The snowpack is still transitioning to spring, melt-freeze conditions. Watch for anomalous high-consequence hazards like falling cornices, glide avalanches, and snow shedding off of rocks. A recent, very large natural avalanche in the West South zone, is a good reminder. While the timing of these hazards is tough to predict, you can easily avoid them by not lingering on or under the features that produce them. 

Between April 6-11th, nearly 2.5" of water equivalent fell, with much of it as rain below 4,500ft. Sunday the 9th marked an avalanche cycle with the rain line as high as 6,000ft. Many avalanches were large, and there may have been some up to D3. Observers reported significant avalanches on Lumiere Ridge, Captain Point, Keyes Pk, and Cowboy Ridge. See the images below. Glide cracks opened on a number of slopes with smooth ground or rock slabs. 

As fewer people flock to the mountains this time of year, our data and confidence in our forecast have lowered. Be prepared to make your own assessments as you travel. If you're in the backcountry, let us know what you see by submitting an observation.

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