Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

You can trigger avalanches in the recent snow on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.  Extremely cold temperatures will keep the snow light and dry on most slopes. Be prepared for difficult travel through deep snow and the coldest temperatures of the season.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    You can trigger loose avalanches in the surface snow on slopes 40 degrees and steeper. While these avalanches are typically small and can be easy to manage with experience, they can be dangerous especially around terrain traps. Watch out for traveling in steep terrain with features like gullies, cliffs, and trees, where any avalanche could have serious consequences. Make sure to stop out from under slopes of concern. You may even see a few natural avalanches on steep, sunny slopes if skies clear for long enough. 

    (12/26/2021)

    A skier triggered a loose dry avalanche (D1) on a steep (40deg) slope. Dirty Face Mtn, WSW, 3500ft.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Simply put, all of the recent snow means that you can trigger a variety of avalanches. If you manage to climb high enough, you may encounter slabs of wind-stiffened snow. Wind slab distribution may be more isolated and less predictable than with typical wind events.  The low-density snow could be easily transported by lighter-than-average wind. The main wind event formed older slabs from northwest winds on the 23rd. These are buried under recent snow and should now be unreactive.

     

    (12/25/2021)

    A skier triggered avalanche (size D1) about 1 foot deep in recently fallen snow. Arrowhead Mtn, 5800ft, W. 

    Photo: Stephen Semanski

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, observers on Dirty Face Mtn, just to the east, reported a well-settled snowpack. They found light wind effects on upper elevation slopes and triggered small, loose avalanches in the surface snow. On Saturday, observers on Arrowhead Mountain triggered a number of small storm slab avalanches (about 1 foot deep) on a west aspect near treeline, the biggest of which broke about 40 feet wide. They also triggered a number of small, loose avalanches at all elevations and found isolated and thin, fresh wind slabs near treeline in unpredictable locations.  A number of crusts may be found in the mid and lower snowpack from early to late December. They aren't expected to be problematic for avalanches at this time but are worth monitoring.

Since the Solstice, storm totals are over 3 feet at the top of Stevens Pass. The snow has started to wind down and temperatures will continue to drop to rarely seen frigid lows. Be proactive around frostbite and cold weather injuries. The snow is deep, and observers have reported difficult travel conditions and potential for snow immersion hazard. Stay away from tree wells and keep your partners within sight and voice contact. When in town, be aware of the potential for roof avalanches. A roof avalanche in January, 2020 resulted in a fatality at a residence near Blewett Pass. 

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