Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can trigger avalanches at upper elevations where the wind formed drifts and thick slabs of snow.  At lower elevations, you may find wet, unsupportive snow. Non-avalanche concerns like firm and slick surfaces, open creeks, and downed trees may be your biggest hazard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At upper elevations, you may be able to trigger slabs formed during strong southwest winds on the 12-13th at the tail end of a major storm. Cornices grew during the storm and may still loom over slopes. Pay attention as you transition into wind affected terrain, and look and feel for changes in snow surface texture and hardness. Watch for clues of instability like cracks shooting through the snow. Use caution on slopes with similar features where you see overhanging cornices and wind drifts. Minimize exposure to overhead hazards and stay far off of cornices. To avoid triggering an avalanche, seek out supported terrain away from wind loaded slopes and slopes less than 35 degrees. These avalanches are becoming harder to trigger and may soon be a non-issue.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Although wet avalanches are unlikely, you may find wet unsupportive snow, especially in open terrain at low elevations. If you sink into wet snow up to your boot-tops, you may be in an area with conditions for wet avalanches. You can avoid triggering a slide by moving onto firm supportive snow or sticking to lower angle (less than 35 degrees) terrain. Other signs of instability are rollerballs, pinwheels, and recent fan-shaped, wet avalanches. With all the precipitation this week and recent warm temperatures, keep glide avalanches are your radar as well. They are difficult to predict, but cracks, which usually form first, are a good indicator. Watch for deep cracks in the snow in steep areas, usually with ground visible at the bottom. 

Avalanche Discussion

Recent warm weather and light rain have transformed most snow surfaces to either a crust or soft wet snow. For Saturday, you can expect temperatures around freezing and partly cloudy skies. 

A major storm delivered almost 5in of water to Stevens Pass on January 11-13. A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on January 12th. On Tuesday, I found a widespread slab avalanches on most visible slopes at Stevens Pass. One very large wet avalanche ran naturally in the Wellington slide path, with a nasty debris pile gouging through the snowpack to the ground. Most dry slab avalanches seemed to run on the new old interface from Jan 11th about 1ft below the surface.  You may still see some of these avalanches, but the danger has generally subsided.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources. Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.

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