Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A storm begins depositing snow midday Saturday and avalanche danger will increase in the afternoon as snowfall and wind intensifies. By the end of the day, it will be possible to trigger avalanches in wind drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. Pay attention to thicker, drifted deposits as the day progresses, and avoid them in steep areas if large pockets easily break free and slide downhill.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Avalanche danger will start at low on Saturday, before snowfall starts increasing the avalanche danger. Only about three inches is expected by the end of the day, but strong winds will redistribute the snow into thicker wind slabs that may react to a human trigger. The rapid load of snow which arrives late Saturday and Sunday, especially at first, may struggle to stick to the old snow surface. This will especially be the case in the thicker wind deposits. A weak (faceted) old snow surface could exist on upper elevation northerly slopes, which would increase the danger even more in those areas. It is uncertain how prevalent this weak layer is, but keep it in mind if you're traveling into those upper elevation areas. 

    Expect to find wind-loaded deposits along ridgelines, in gullies, and around rocky outcroppings. Feel for changes in the snow surface, and search for signs of wind-effect like textured surfaces and thicker pillows. Pay attention to indicators such as cracking and whumphing. If you find any of these characteristics in snow deeper than your ankles, stay off wind drifted slopes steeper than 35 degrees.

Avalanche Discussion

The storm will intensify by the afternoon on Saturday, and a majority of the snow will fall overnight into Sunday. Forecasts are predicting about a foot to fall overnight, on top of what we receive Saturday. Strong winds will quickly redistribute snow into more reactive slabs.  We are also continuing to track a persistent weak layer just above the Late January Crust, buried about two feet deep on upper elevation northerly slopes. Avalanches haven't occurred on the layer in this zone, but as more snow (weight) is added to the snowpack, we'll be keeping this layer on our minds. 

All of a sudden we’re back to winter with cooler temperatures and fresh snow. The good thing about this storm is that our avalanche concerns are primarily limited to the new snow layers. This is relatively shallow and easy to identify. With serious melting occurring in recent weeks, don’t forget about the crusty, variable surfaces beneath the new snow while you’re out.

Regions covered