Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If you find wet, sticky snow that you're sinking several inches into on Wednesday, then wet loose avalanches could occur on steep slopes. Steer around steep slopes if you encounter these conditions. If crusts exist, then there will probably be minimal avalanche activity. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Avalanche danger could vary during the day and depending on where you are in the zone. Be prepared for rising avalanche danger if skies clear. Give yourself travel options of lower-angle and shaded slopes. Check how easily the surface snow slides as you change aspects and move through the mountains. The most likely places to encounter wet avalanches will be at upper elevations, in steep, open terrain, and on southeast through southwest aspects. 

    Information from upper elevations is limited. We suspect that previously dry snow was wetted for the first time on Tuesday as temperatures increased. During this initial wetting, there is likely large avalanches that could run naturally from steep overhead terrain. There's a small chance this could continue into Wednesday, but we suspect that time has already passed. Use caution around terrain traps, where avalanches could push you into rocks, trees, or creeks. 

    At lower elevations, snow cover becomes spotty, and we suspect any avalanche activity will be minimal in these areas. Only open patches near the top of the lower elevation band would likely have enough snow to slide. 

    Example photo: A wet loose avalanche on the Rooster Comb, adjacent to Stevens Pass ski area. A slide like this may still occur, especially at upper elevations.

    Photo: Willie Webster

Avalanche Discussion

The big question for Wednesday is how much sun will make it through the clouds, and the extent to which it will soften sun-exposed slopes. If you see or feel the effects of the sun, expect that you could be dealing with dangerous wet avalanche conditions. 

Storms have added up to almost 2.5" of water equivalent. At 5,000ft, this has equated to 8-10" of moist snow. We're uncertain about upper elevations, but there could be significantly more accumulation (1.5-2 feet) there. On Monday, Stevens Pass Patrol reported dry snow at 5,500ft in the morning, which gave way to a small round of wet avalanches as precipitation switched to rain. Recently, NWAC forecasters and other professionals found about 10" of moist snow over the January 28th crust around 5,000ft. Most of the top 2 feet of the snowpack was moist, including the crust.

Snow depths vary due to the lack of snow during January. Particularly on sunny slopes, you can find less than 3 feet of snow and patches of bare ground.  You can expect deeper coverage on the north half of the compass, with 6-8 feet of snow on the ground above 5,000ft. The mountains feature plenty of open holes, creeks, and exposed rocks. 

Regions covered