Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Significant new snow, winds, and rising temperatures on Thursday will make it easier to trigger avalanches in steep terrain. Avalanches will be much larger at upper elevations and where the wind drifts snow deeper. Avoid steep open slopes at upper elevations and consider that even small avalanches can carry high costs with our low-tide snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent avalanches, cracking in fresh snow, and test slopes that produce mini-storm slabs are all indicators of dangerous storm slab conditions. Warming temperatures mean heavier snow will pile up on lighter snow, and may make avalanches relatively easy to trigger. Default to lower-angle terrain and avoid likely trigger points such as steep convex rolls or gullies.

    The snow is piling up, at least at mid and upper elevations. That said, we haven't been able to access the area to actually investigate the snowpack. We expect there is 2-3 feet of fresh snow above 6000ft, and another 10" of snow may fall throughout the day on Thursday. Recent strong winds also formed sensitive wind slabs at upper elevations. These avalanches could be quite large and dangerous, so if you're in wind-exposed terrain, follow low-angle routes, ridgelines, or wind-scoured slopes. 

    Mid-elevations still don't have much snow coverage. But you could still trigger a small wind or storm slab in isolated open areas, anywhere you find continuous snow. Even these small avalanches could ruin your season by dragging you through exposed obstacles. 

    (3/13/2025)

    Example of blowing snow forming deep drifts even in somewhat sheltered terrain. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

  • Loose Wet

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

    Temperatures won't be as excessively warm as last week, but rain will likely move into the mid-elevation band. While the bulk of the mid-elevation band has limited snow depth, the transition zone into the upper elevations above 5500ft has seen plenty of recent dry snow. If you begin to see rollarballs or small natural wet loose avalanches, consider moving to lower-angle terrain. Even small avalanches can have high consequences in steep terrain with many exposed obstacles to get dragged through. 

    (12/28/2024)

    These rollerballs are the first sign of increasing wet avalanche danger. 

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

Stevens Pass picked up about 4" of snow at pass level (4000ft) on Wednesday. Higher elevations have likely picked up 2-3' of snow over the last few days. We have no direct observations and very limited information, but we expect new snow accumulated over slick crusts. With increased uncertainty, ensure you maintain wider safety margins and make diligent observations while traveling. Despite increasing avalanche risk, avalanches remain a secondary concern to other issues facing the Stevens Pass zone. Getting to continuous snow is a long and potentially arduous process.  In addition, Highway 2 to Stevens Pass remains closed in both directions, with no estimated reopening date. Flooding, washouts, downed trees, and damage to major roads are more imminent concerns. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a pattern shift toward colder, snowier weather that will begin to fill in our low and mid-elevation bands. But we'll still need to be patient as WSDOT crews work tirelessly to reopen the highway. Significant rain events since December 4th that contributed to the destruction of the highway total over 25" of water as of Dec. 17th. We know much of this fell as rain even to the highest elevations. However, there is still a significantly deeper snowpack above 6000ft, and we know very little about the snowpack structure. If you make your way into alpine terrain, you should be prepared with the knowledge to make your own snowpack assessments. 

The weather over the past few weeks has been extraordinary, with torrential rains, extreme winds, flooding, and landslides. Many communities are dealing with damage to homes, infrastructure, and businesses, stretching resources thin. These events have limited access to the mountains for all of us. State and local resources are working diligently to reduce the worst of these impacts. We can help by being respectful of local communities, obeying road closures, and heeding ski area uphill travel policies.

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