Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Wet avalanches will be an ongoing concern as rain continues. Where you find weak, wet snow, you can trigger them on steep slopes, and natural avalanches could come from overhead terrain. If you see an increase in activity, very large, gouging slides, or large wet slab avalanches, steer clear of all avalanche paths.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Light rain will continue. Most wet avalanches will be small, but some could gouge deeply into the recent snow. Wet avalanches can be forceful enough to injure you or push you into other hazards, even if they're not big enough to bury you.

    Use caution on slopes over 35 degrees, and avoid areas near rocks and unsupported slopes. If you see many fresh, natural avalanches, large, deeply gouging slides, or wet slab avalanches, you will be dealing with much more dangerous conditions. In that case, stick to low-angle slopes and stay far away from steep, overhead terrain.

     

    (3/16/2026)

    Many natural wet loose avalanches below Rooster Comb ridge and above Lake Susan Jane. These occurred on 3/16. Many were small and ran long distances. A couple may have been large (D2). NE, 4,700-5,400ft

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

On Sunday, the 16th, observers reported widespread and long-running wet avalanches. Many were small, but some may have been big enough to bury or kill a person.

This is a challenging period of ongoing rain and prolonged instability. As the rain continues, there will likely be another peak of instability and avalanches. At that point, we suspect that wet avalanches could be large to very large, could run on older layers, such as crusts or deeper buried weak layers, and they could occur as more dangerous wet slab avalanches. The question is, when will that happen? Maybe Tuesday. Wednesday would be more likely, but we don't actually know. Watch for these indicators of increased natural activity and larger avalanches to indicate that you should avoid all avalanche terrain.

On Sunday, the 15th, an NWAC forecaster near Lanham Lake found the recent storm snow was well-bonded and still settling. Of note, there are 2 recent crusts in the top 3-4 feet of the snowpack as well as a thick layer of weak wet grains about 4-5 feet below the surface. These could all be sources of deeper wet avalanches. From the 11-14th, professionals and observers reported an impressive cycle of large to very large natural and triggered avalanches. On the 13th and 14th, avalanche professionals at both Stevens Pass Ski Area and WSDOT triggered very large (size D2.5-3) avalanches. By the 15th, avalanches were becoming more difficult to trigger, and the storm snow was bonding well.

From March 8-13th, Stevens Pass received 7.5" of water equivalent falling as over 4 feet of snow. A few crusts formed during this week-long storm cycle (on the 8th and 12th). Some of these formed short-lived weak layers. As more rain sends water through the snowpack, there's a chance that wet slabs could occur around crusts or older weak snow from February, now 5 feet below the surface. 

At upper elevations, we have limited information. Older weak layers from February would be difficult to trigger, but they may not have been wetted as they were at lower elevations. Be ready to assess the upper elevation snowpack if you travel there. Consider the consequences of falling in wet, deep snow. Holes around boulders and creeks may be barely covered and could lead to a dangerous fall. Make sure to keep close tabs on your partners in case you need to rescue them. 

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