Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow on a weak older layer has allowed dangerous conditions to stick around longer than usual. You can trigger avalanches on a range of steep slopes, but the most dangerous areas will be where the wind formed deeper drifts of snow, just below ridges. Stick to slopes under 35 degrees and seek out wind-sheltered terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Use caution on all slopes over 35 degrees and avoid, leeward slopes just below ridges and under cliffs. You can easily trigger avalanches in the recent snow and they could break widely across slopes. The new snow rests on a variety of weak layers including a crust and a thin layer of faceted snow or surface hoar.

    Assume that you can trigger avalanches on most slopes over 35 degrees. You can use simple tests like hand shears, test slopes, and tilt tests to evaluate the bond of new snow layers. Recent avalanches, snow that slides easily, and cracks shooting through the snow are "red flag" indicators of the danger. 

    (1/11/2025) Crown of intentionally triggered windslab, NW ridge Tye Peak. Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday morning, a group of four backcountry tourers were involved in an avalanche accident near Kendall Peak in the Commonwealth Basin area of Snoqualmie Pass. Details are still being gathered, but the accident occurred on a SW aspect at 5600ft. All four members were caught and carried. Two were injured. The party called 911 to request assistance. Search and rescue responded to the area and brought the victims to the trailhead.

At Stevens Pass on Saturday, observers reported numerous triggered avalanches in wind-loaded and sheltered terrain. Most of these were running on or just above the old snow interface, which on many slopes is either a crust, weak facets or surface hoar, or a combination of the three. Observers in the Skyline Lake, Lichtenberg Mtn, Yodelin, and Lanham Lake areas all reported triggered avalanches, significant cracking, or propagating test results at the new/old snow interface.

8-10" of snow accumulated at Stevens Pass by Saturday, with slightly less east of the pass. Westerly winds drifted snow at middle and upper elevations. On Friday, the old snow surface was still wet and unfrozen below 4,000ft.

The recent interface (January 10th) is a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Many shaded and upper-elevation slopes held dry snow that became weak before being buried. Both surface hoar and facets have been reported over the crust.  We expect the new snow to need more time than usual to bond to the recent interface. Take the time to assess the snow through the weekend and be prepared to choose low-angle slopes.

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