Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

On Sunday, you may be able to trigger avalanches in the recent snow on a variety of steep slopes. Avalanches will be bigger and more likely above treeline where you find freshly drifted slabs of snow. Snow and wind will taper off but dangerous conditions will remain at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch for patterns of drifting to point out the more dangerous leeward and loaded slopes. You can use a probe or pole to feel for deeper, stiffer drifts of snow. Steer around steep convexities and pillowed drifts on wind-loaded slopes. You can always choose safer terrain at lower elevations or on wind-sheltered slopes.

    East winds will form fresh drifts through Saturday night and should become light by Sunday. Avalanches will be bigger and easier to trigger above treeline. Pay close attention to which terrain features got loaded by the wind. Easterly winds are typically channeled in unique ways along the Stevens Pass Highway 2 corridor.

    (3/3/2023)

    A natural slab avalanche occurred in the recent snow Friday afternoon on a leeward and sun-exposed slope. Highlands Bowl, SE, 5,600ft

    Photo: Stevens Pass Ski Patrol

  • Loose Dry

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

    In many sheltered areas, you can trigger small avalanches on steep slopes. Loose, incohesive snow could slide below your feet or machine. While these avalanches often are easier to avoid once triggered, they can be dangerous at times. Be especially cautious in very steep terrain near rocks, cliffs, tight gullies, and other terrain traps. If loose avalanches are particularly forceful or fast, take care to stay out of them and not be below the moving snow. On Sunday, there may be enough sun to see a few natural avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes. 

    (2/28/2023)

    An example of small loose avalanches in the neighboring East Central zone.

    Photo: Matt Primomo

Avalanche Discussion

Keep in mind that getting stuck in a tree well or falling head-first into deep snow can be dangerous. People can suffocate in deep snow even without an avalanche. Travel with a partner and keep them close enough to see and hear each other. If someone falls, make sure they get up and be ready to assist them. 

Saturday brought some wind transport and freshly formed wind slabs in specific terrain affected by east wind immediate to the Highway 2 corridor and upper Nason creek. An observer on Big Chief Mountain reported dramatic cracking in wind-transported snow. In much of the terrain, observers reported that the snow that fell in the past 2 days was still loose and uncohesive. On Friday, observers reported 15" of cold, low-density snow. Both light wind drifting and the sun may have helped the new snow gain cohesion in some places. Observers reported a natural slab avalanche, about 10" deep, that occurred in the afternoon in Highlands Bowl (SE, 5,600ft, 2-3p) on a leeward and sun-exposed slope. A natural loose avalanche ran in a typical location on a very steep, sun-exposed slope, below Skyline Lake (SW, 4,800ft).

On Tuesday, two triggered avalanches may have stepped into deeper layers, running on a crust buried around Valentine's Day.  A snowboarder triggered slide on a steep, wind-loaded southeast aspect just outside the Stevens Pass Resort boundary. The avalanche was approximately 70ft wide and 2.5ft deep and was suspected to have run on the crust from mid-February. WSDOT forecasters also triggered a larger slide with a big explosive charge that was wide and over 2ft deep.

 

Regions covered