Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Watch for wet avalanches on sunny slopes and any steep terrain with soft, moist surface snow. You may be able to trigger avalanches at upper elevations, where the wind drifts fresh slabs of snow. Stick to slopes less than 35 degrees where you see rollerballs or fresh drifted pillows of snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Watch for wet avalanches on steep slopes where you find soft, moist snow on the surface. If you see fresh rollerballs, move to lower-angle or shadier terrain. Use extra caution if you see avalanches gouging deeper, below surface layers.

    Thursday has the greatest potential for wet avalanches of any day this week. Warm temperatures and sun could warm surface snow enough to melt old crusts. Wet avalanches could occur on most slopes, with an emphasis on the sunny, east through south through west aspects at mid-elevations. 

    (2/12/2024)

    An example of wet loose slides on the southwest aspects of Lichtenberg Mtn.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Avoid steep slopes and rocky, unsupported terrain where you find stiff, wind-drifted slabs of snow. If you see warning signs like cracks shooting through the snow, move to lower-angle terrain. You can use your pole or probe to feel for the stiff surface slabs and with underlying, softer snow just above the early February crust. 

    On Wednesday night, another round of light snow and enough wind could form slabs at upper elevations. Fresh drifts will be small and shallow. There's a lingering concern for older slabs resting on facets over the early February crust. While avalanches involving older slabs are unlikely, they could become a concern again with a future storm. You may have to find just the right weak spot or the right combination of wind-stiffened slabs and weak snow to trigger them.

    (2/13/2024)

    Skiers triggered a slab avalanche (D1.5) at upper elevations on 2/13.  Jim Hill, NE, 6,500ft

Avalanche Discussion

Expect the most warming due to sun and temperatures that we've seen in over a week. Snow surfaces may not freeze overnight, especially at low elevations. 

On Monday, forecasters went to Jim Hill and found stubborn wind slabs at upper elevations. They found a layer of weak, faceted snow just above the early February crust, about 1 1/2 ft deep. A ski cut on a steep, northerly slope caused cracking down to the crust. See the photos below. While it's still a ways off, a shift in the weather could bring snow and a significant new load to the weak layer above the early February crust. If so, we may see a spike in avalanche conditions late in the weekend.

Many observers have reported variable and highly wind-affected snow conditions, while there are still sheltered areas where light, dry snow exists. The snow cover is shallow. Travel carefully to avoid hitting exposed rocks or falling in holes, especially at mid and lower elevations.   If you get out, please help us by submitting an observation.

Regions covered