Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Small wet loose avalanches may become possible on very steep slopes facing the sun with daytime warming. If you begin sinking deeply into wet snow, it's time to change aspects or to lower angled slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Small avalanches may become possible on very steep slopes that face the sun by mid-day. If you begin punching into wet snow deeper than your ankle, it's time to move off from steep slopes. Avalanches are unlikely on shaded aspects, and if you find a thick crust topping snow surfaces. Time your travels to get soft snow (but not too soft) if that's what you're looking for.

    Keep in mind mountain hazards such as cornices and glide cracks. Stay out from under areas with large cornices or glide cracks.  

    Example small, loose wet avalanches.

    Photo: Steve Gately

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack has taken a toll from the past couple of major storm events, and is now transitioning into a spring-like snowpack...in January. Each day the snow surface melts, then refreezes at night. It's difficult to tell how thick the freeze may get, or how long it will last with forecasted warm temperatures. Avalanches may become possible where the surface crust melts during the day, but these should remain small. Evidence of large to very large avalanches (D2-D3+) are widespread in the mountains. Snow surfaces have rain runnels, and on Friday observers noted needle-like surface hoar overlaying the surface crust. A high elevation rain event began on the 11th and lasted through the 13th, initiating a cycle of wet avalanches. On Wednesday, multiple very large (D3) wet avalanches were observed in the Highway 2, Stevens Pass corridor. One impressive slide (D3) in the East Camp path ran to the valley floor on a south aspect of Rock Mtn.

Stevens Pass Mountain Resort measured 82" of snow accumulation in 72 hours between January 6 and 8th. On the 7th, WSDOT crews triggered D3.5 avalanches on the pass with control work. On the 6th, they reported multiple natural avalanches D2.5-D3 in size that hit the closed highway west of the pass. Once the storm ended, WSDOT reported over 208 debris piles up to 15 feet deep on Highway 2 in Tumwater Canyon alone. Several slides ran into the river and ten of them were very large. 

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