Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Watch for wet avalanches on steep sunny slopes holding weak, moist snow. If you see rollerballs or recent wet avalanches, move to shaded terrain or slopes less than 35 degrees. 

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. Be aware of avalanches and cornices coming down from overhead terrain. Use extra caution if you see avalanches gouging deeper, below surface layers. This could mean wet slides could become dangerously large.

    Warm temperatures and sun could be enough to melt crusts and warm surface snow. Upper elevations are most prone to consequential avalanches as they haven't formed as stout crusts as lower elevations.

Avalanche Discussion

Observers reported natural wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes on Thursday. One notable avalanche on Lichtenberg Mountain was large (sized D2). See the photo below. In terrain adjacent to Stevens Pass Resort, forecasters found 10" of moist snow above the early February crust and they were able to easily trigger roller balls and small wet avalanches.

Avalanches in older wind-drifted slabs are now unlikely. However, a weak structure exists. On shaded slopes above 5,000ft, you can find a layer of faceted snow resting on the early February crust, about 1 1/2 feet below the surface. Forecasters found this structure on Jim Hill on the 19th. See the profile and images of the weak grains below. A coming shift in the weather could bring snow andstress the weak layer above the early February crust. We expect an increase in avalanche conditions by next week, and enough load of new snow could cause avalanches on these old weak layers. 

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.

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