Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches will be most dangerous on steep slopes where the wind drifted snow. You can also trigger wet avalanches where the sun and warm temperatures will melt the snow surface. Reduce the risk of avalanches by sticking to shaded, wind-sheltered terrain and slopes under 35 degrees. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    In wind-loaded areas, avalanches could be dangerously large and may break widely across terrain features or be triggered from a distance. Look for recent avalanches, textured snow, and thick, pillow-like drifts that highlight slopes of concern. Keep your distance from these features and stay well clear of cornices.  

    A major westerly wind that event that stressed weak layers is coming to an end. Warm temperatures and sunny skies may prolong the instability. In the past week, observers have reported collapses, long cracks, and propagating test results. Weak layers (facets and surface hoar) adjacent to crusts are 1.5 feet deep, widespread on a variety of slopes, and have been the source of multiple avalanches. 

    (2/26/2026)

    Large, natural avalanches on a leeward slopes in the East North zone. Note blowing snow. This likely ran on a weak layer above the 2/7 crust, ~2 feet below the surface. Cutthroat Lake. E-SE, 6,600ft

  • Loose Wet

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

    After a mostly cold and blustery week, the sun and warming temperatures will melt steep, sunny slopes. Watch for wet avalanches as the day progresses. These will mostly be smaller point releases on steep slopes, but they could combine with persistent slabs. If you suspect recent wind loading in similar terrain, it's best to stick to slopes under 35 degrees altogether. You can avoid wet avalanches by moving to shadier slopes as the day progresses. 

    (1/29/2026)

    A large roller ball is a sign that moist snow is becoming weak and could avalanche. Lake Josephine, 5,400ft, NW

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

 A major warm-up is maintaining dangerous conditions on the heels of a westerly wind event. 

On the 26th, natural and triggered avalanches occurred across a range of wind-loaded slopes over 30 degrees, including open areas at low elevations. Two people were caught and carried in separate slab avalanches. Westerly winds and wind loading were intense from the 25th through the evening of the 27th. On the 23rd, 7-10" of snow accumulated and stressed weak faceted snow and buried surface hoar. Observers reported some natural and many human and explosive-triggered avalanches running to the uppermost (2/8) crust. Whumpfing collapses have been widespread. There's been an increase in propagating test , snowpack tests have produced mixed results, but the snowpack is very weak. The uncertainty is a good reason to minimize exposure to avalanche terrain and enjoy the return to winter on lower-angle slopes. 

A layer of facets, including the 2/13 surface hoar, is now buried 10-18" deep, and the 2/8 crust is down 12-20". The weak layer exists on most slopes. It's been most problematic first on southerly aspects, and more recently, where it's been buried under stiff wind-drifted slabs. While some avalanches have been triggered remotely, we have few reports of widely propagating slides in this zone. About 2ft below the surface, you'll find a more stout, thicker crust with additional weak snow adjacent to it. Upper elevations will likely have a greater separation between crusts, with potentially more weak layers. We have limited information from upper elevations, above 6,000ft. If you travel there, we'd love to have your observations!

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