Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

7:15p update: Storm Slabs likely. Expect ongoing gusty wind and light snow on the tail end of a storm. You can trigger avalanches on a range of steep slopes, but the most dangerous areas will be where the wind forms deeper drifts of snow. Stick to wind-sheltered terrain less than 35 degrees and avoid steep slopes where you see blowing snow and deeply pillowed drifts in open terrain and just below ridges. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Use caution on all slopes over 35 degrees and avoid, leeward slopes just below ridges and under cliffs. You can easily trigger avalanches in the new snow and they could break widely across slopes. The new snow rests on a variety of weak layers including a crust, wet snow, and in the worst-case scenario, a thin layer of faceted snow or surface hoar.

    You can use simple tests like hand shears, test slopes, and tilt tests to evaluate the bond of new snow layers. If the snow slides easily or cracks shoot through the snow, stick to slopes less than 35 degrees. On Saturday, strong, gusty wind will continue to form drifts. Watch for plumes of blowing snow and wind-stiffened surfaces to indicate the most dangerous areas. Other "red flag" warning signs include fresh avalanches and cracking in the snow.

    (1/10/2025)

    E/SE aspect at 5.3k, widespread cracking with ski cuts on steep planar terrain. Just after this photo was taken, a ski cut from the ridge above this location resulted in a storm slab avalanche that pulled out the majority of this slope.

    Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday, the storm will be winding down, but the wind and a weak interface will be the primary factors in maintaining avalanche danger. Light snowfall and westerly gusts of 20-25mph could continue through the afternoon. By the end of Friday,  6-7" of snow accumulated at Stevens Pass. Stevens Pass Patrol reported that avalanches were easy to trigger in steep start zones and especially on leeward slopes. Observers in the Skyline Lake area observed significant cracking and easily triggered avalanches in the new snow. The old snow surface was still wet and unfrozen below 4,000ft.

The recent interface (January 10th) is a crust on many slopes. Some shaded and upper-elevation slopes may've held dry snow that became weak before being buried. Surface hoar was also reported over the crust.  Either way, we expect the new snow to not bond well to the recent interface. Take the time to assess the snow through the weekend and be prepared to choose low-angle slopes.

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