Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Increasing afternoon temperatures and sunny skies will make wet avalanches the primary concern for Wednesday. Avoid steep southern aspects in the afternoon, and don't linger beneath steep faces, rocks, or cliffs where these avalanches are more likely to initiate.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    After a potentially drizzly and cloudy morning, the afternoon is likely to be the first truly sunny day for Stevens Pass. With afternoon snow levels nearing 7000ft, you will likely see natural wet loose avalanches run on steep slopes in direct sun. Rocks and cliffs still holding snow are prime locations for these avalanches to begin, so monitor overhead terrain and don't linger under these features in the warm afternoon sun. You can also trigger these small, slow-moving avalanches that have a knack for grabbing your feet, skis, or machine and pulling you downhill. So consider sticking to lower angle and less consequential terrain if you travel on sunny slopes later in the day. Wet snow surfaces, rollerballs, and snow that feels sticky are the first signs that wet loose avalanches are becoming more likely. 

    (3/25/2022) Wet loose avalanches often initiate from steep rocky terrain, like in this photo, as it warms up in the sun.

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Wind Slabs

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

    If you seek out shadier aspects for recreation, you could still trigger lingering pockets of old wind slabs. We expect most of these slabs to be small and are becoming more difficult to trigger. But don't let your guard down in steep terrain near ridges, rocks, cliffs, and confined features where even small avalanches could have high consequences. Cornice features, textured surfaces, and stiff snow over softer snow are all ways to identify wind slabs. Before committing to steep slopes in wind exposed areas, look for signs of instability in small test slopes, such as long shooting cracks. If you identify any signs of unstable snow, steer around these stiff pillowlike slabs or stick to lower angle and less consequential terrain. As usual, with rapid weather changes, there is always some added uncertainty. Although we don't expect widespread cornice failures, it will be something to consider. If you observe large, overhung cornices sitting in the sun, don't linger below them and consider giving them wide margins by traveling far below them in the terrain.

    (1/22/2023)

    A very shallow wind slab avalanche ran on the MLK crust. Henry Creek clearcut.

    Photo: Joe Dellaporta

Avalanche Discussion

The January 4th buried surface hoar can be found about 1-2 feet below the surface of the snow. On the 19th, skiers triggered a large avalanche 1-2 feet deep on Jim Hill. While you can find the January 4th surface hoar in a few other locations, it's otherwise been inactive and difficult to find in this zone. The most likely areas to find the layer are between 5,800-6,500ft in wind-sheltered terrain. In the neighboring East Central zone, there have been multiple observations, including large natural avalanches running on this layer. Currently, avalanches on persistent weak layers are unlikely.

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