Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

While conditions are generally safe, there's a chance that you could trigger a small avalanche on steep wind-loaded terrain at the highest elevations. A more likely hazard is hitting  rocks, logs, and exposed holes due to shallow snow cover. Expect temperature and sun to progressively warm the surface snow through the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    There's been just enough snow and wind that you might be able to trigger an small avalanche in isolated, high-elevation terrain. Even a small wind slab avalanche could push you into a terrain trap or drag you over rocks or stumps. 

    We have minimal information from upper elevations, so you'll need to make your own observation. You may be able to find this problem at upper elevations on leeward sides of ridgelines, in complex terrain like gullies and couloirs, or on steep, unsupported slopes. Winds are forecast to be light over the weekend, and we expect this avalanche problem to diminish.

    A scoured or rippled snow surface is a clue you could find wind slab nearby.

     

Avalanche Discussion

Stevens Pass will see an increase in sun and warm temperatures for Saturday. Expect a more dramatic warm-up on Sunday. Observers have reported small rollerballs on steep, south aspects. You're most likely to see these below cliffs and steep trees that shed snow as they warm. Avoid being on or directly under steep, sunny slopes if you see these signs of instability or small avalanches. 

No human-triggered avalanches were reported from the Stevens Pass backcountry in the last few days. Observers in the neighboring East Central zone triggered a small wind slab avalanche on Thursday. Lower elevations still harbor obstacles such as exposed or subtly buried stumps, rocks, and creeks. 

On Friday, Stevens Pass Patrol reported light blowing snow at a 5,500ft ridge. While winds have been moderate, there's not a lot of snow available to transport. The Tye Mill weather station recorded west winds with gusts to 24mph. On Thursday, an NWAC Forecaster at Skyline found 3’ of snow over the ground at 5300ft. On Wednesday, an observer touring within the closed ski area found strong winds building slabs up to 6” thick. Test slopes yielded no results.

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