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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Likelihood is trending down, but at upper elevations, you could still trigger an avalanche of wind drifted snow large enough to bury you. On sun-exposed slopes, the chance of triggering small sluffs of wet snow will increase as the day progresses. Use caution on steep slopes holding snow, especially just below ridgelines or similarly exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It remains possible to trigger slabs of recently drifted snow up to 2 feet deep sitting over a crust. Look for visual and tactile signs of previous wind loading, such as textured and uneven snow surfaces and a change to denser feeling snow underneath you. It will be harder to get clear feedback, such as shooting cracks or collapsing beforehand, but you can use a quick hand pit to test the bond between the slab and crust below. As you gain elevation, use caution on exposed slopes steeper than 35 degrees and steer around convex rollovers, which are prime terrain features for triggering a slide.

    (3/27/2026) Photo: Eddie Schoen

    A large skier triggering avalanche on Snoqualmie Pass. This avalanche released on convex terrain feature.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    There is uncertainty in the cloud forecast for Saturday, but it should be generally sunny. As a surface crust that formed overnight breaks down in the sunshine, the chance of triggering a small slide increases. Signs to look out for are surfaces that begin feeling sticky and moist, punching through surfaces that were once supportable earlier in the day, and rollerballs releasing from your equipment or naturally from steep terrain. A wet loose avalanche won't be big enough to bury you, but could sweep you off your feet. Take a moment to evaluate what hazards lie below before jumping into a slope steeper than 40 degrees with warming snow. You can avoid this problem entirely by going earlier in the day or sticking to shadier aspects with cool, dry snow.

    (3/27/2026)

    Natural wet loose on a steep south facing aspect on Friday.

    Photo: Katie Warren

Avalanche Discussion

By Thursday morning, Stevens Pass picked up 1-1.5 ft of snow, accompanied by strong westerly winds. We don't have any on the ground information for upper elevations, but extensive wind effect has been observed from afar and well documented in neighboring zones. On Thursday, large natural wind slab avalanches were observed in White Pine Creek alongside impressive cross-loading. On Friday, skiers triggered a large wind slab avalanche in exposed alpine terrain on Snoqualmie Pass. Although in a different zone, this could be indicative of how conditions are at upper elevations on Stevens Pass. An NWAC Forecaster reported a good bond between new snow and the underlying crust at middle elevations.

Friday was the warmest day of the week, and there were avalanches to show for it. An NWAC Forecaster reported widespread natural wet loose activity by 10am. Another public observer reported similar findings. Thursday was also a warm day, and another NWAC Forecaster traveling around on that day reported being able to push wet snow on very steep test slopes. At this point, the wet loose problem has largely run its course, but it's too soon to completely rule it out given Saturday's continued warm weather.

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