Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago.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

Highlights

It's going to be another warm day out there. We expect most wet avalanche activity has already run its course, but you may see shedding snow in very steep terrain. Be wary of lingering beneath very steep terrain warming up in the afternoon sun. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm temperatures will continue to soften snow surfaces during the day, and there is still a chance for wet avalanches. We expect any activity to be limited to very steep terrain or rocks and cliffs shedding snow. If you begin to sink deeply into wet snow or see snow shedding off steep terrain, consider lower angle slopes and avoid lingering in steep gullies or beneath rocks and cliffs. 

    We expect robust surface crusts to form again overnight as the snow surface refreezes. These crusts will need to break down before we see much wet avalanche activity. If crusts don't breakdown wet avalanches won't be as likely. 

    (1/18/2025)

    Cliffs that still hold snow may shed with continued warm temperatures. 

    Photo: Josh Hirshberg

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche danger is trending down, with clear nights helping to form crusts on the snow surface. Slightly cooler temperatures and the potential for high clouds on Friday will also help. But below the surface crust the snow is still wet, so isolated wet loose or shed style avalanches in steep terrain are still something to watch out for. 

Last weekend's storms brought almost 2.5" of water equivalent, resulting in 8-10" of moist snow in the Stevens Pass area.  Unfortunately, the snow was short-lived, and Monday brought rain to the upper elevations, triggering a natural wet avalanche cycle. Recently, NWAC forecasters and other professionals found about 10" of moist snow over the January 28th crust. The upper snowpack at mid and lower elevations is a layer cake of moist melt forms between multiple melt-freeze crusts. At upper elevations, a surface crust overlays moist melt forms down to the January 28th melt-freeze crust. There is some precipitation in the forecast for the weekend, but it's on the warm side again. 

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. 

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