Stevens Pass

There are minimal chances to trigger a slab, but warm temperatures and light rain to 5,000ft may create conditions for small wet avalanches. Expect pinwheeling to be the dominant type of instability on steep slopes, but wet loose avalanches could also occur.

Temperatures have been quite warm for this time of year, and the snowpack has been slowly adjusting with rollerballs being reported the past couple of days. Some of these have grown large, though haven't been much of a hazard. With light rain up to about 5,500ft on Saturday, expect another round of these to occur. It wouldn't be impossible for small loose wet avalanches to run or be triggered on the right steep slope with wet snow surfaces. Consider steering around steep and consequential slopes if you find moist/sticky snow and active sluffing. 

A couple rounds of easterly winds have blown and drifted snow into thicker drifts. On most slopes, expect about a foot of storm snow from the past week to sit over thin crusts from the third week in December. There may be weaker, sugary snow beneath or in between these crusts. This structure is somewhat widespread around the region, though hasn't been problematic for avalanches. However, some tests have shown potential for propagation, so it's worth knowing about.  Travel conditions and coverage are still thin, but possible in middle and upper elevations. Beware of hitting exposed rocks, stumps, and creeks, especially at lower elevations. 

Stevens Pass Ski Area is open. Check uphill policies HERE. You can contribute to the forecast! Let us know what you found by submitting an observation HERE.