Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Sun, warm temperatures, and a lack of freeze will maintain heightened avalanche danger. Large slabs of snow could fall off rocks and cliffs, and you may be able to trigger cornices and wet avalanches on sunny slopes. Don't linger on steep slopes with unsupportive wet snow or under snow-covered rock features.

Avalanche problems

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Be aware of steep, overhead terrain. Don't linger under snow-covered cliffs, slabs of rocks, or other vertical features that could shed snow. Glide avalanches, cornices, and large chunks of snow can intiate avalanches and could be big enough to kill you on their own.

    Many rock features and slabs are still holding snow and could continue to shed with ongoing warm temperatures and sun. While the chances of getting hit by a glide avalanche aren't huge, the consequences are. A significant round of avalanches and glide releases occurred from the 11th-13th and more could continue as water moves through the snowpack.

    (1/13/2026)

    Multiple avalanches (up to size D2) just outside the Stevens Pass Ski Area boundary above Lake Susan Jane. These likely occurred between the night of the 11th and the morning of the 13th. Some may have initiated due to glide or cornice releases. Lumiere Ridge, NE, 5,200-5,600ftWL-N-D2-O

    Photo: Stevens Patrol

  • Loose Wet

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

    Pay attention to surface conditions. If you sink into wet, unusupportive snow or see roller balls and wet avalanches increasing during the day, move to more shaded and lower-angle terrain. Don't linger under steep slopes where avalanches could come down from above.

    While loose avalanches in the surface snow became harder to trigger on Tuesday, the avalanche activity could increase once again. We are uncertain how much Wednesday's warm temperatures and sun will increase the hazard of wet snow surfaces. If you're braving the challenging travel, be ready to assess the surfaces as the day progresses. 

    (1/12/2026)

    A natural wet loose avalanche (size D1.5) on Lichtenberg Mtn. This occurred late night/early AM Jan 11-12. SE, 4,400ft

    (WL-N-D1.5-O)

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

About 1.4" of rain was recorded at Stevens Pass since the 11th. NWAC forecasters in the zone on the 12th reported a widespread natural wet avalanche cycle. Most avalanches were large, and some ran long distances, gouging through much of the recent storm snow. Avalanche activity continued that night with more size D1.5-D2 wet loose and glide avalanches ocurring.

Approximately 2 feet of snow rests over the January 3rd melt-freeze crust. The overlying snow has generally been well-bonded to the crust, and no wet avalanches have been reported on it.  However, a few notable deep avalanches ran on this crust prior to the rain event. The continued warm temperatures raise concern for deeper wet avalanches at the Jan 3rd interface. Wet slab avalanches can be delayed, and the timing is very hard to forecast. If they occur at all, the tipping point may be continued warming and sun on Wednesday.

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