Avalanche forecast

Stevens Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

Highlights

You can trigger dangerous slab avalanches on steep, exposed slopes where easterly winds will continue to drift snow. If you see blowing snow, long cracks on the surface, and stiff-feeling drifts, stick to slopes under 30 degrees or choose wind-sheltered terrain. Be alert for wind-drifted slabs forming in unique places due to how easterly winds are pushed around by terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Avalanches will be easy to trigger where you find blowing snow and stiffened surface slabs. Stay alert and observant to these clear signs of the danger. Other indicators and red flag signs include recent slab avalanches, long, shooting cracks in the snow, cornices, and wind-textured surfaces. You can test small, inconsequential slopes to see how easily they slide.

    If you see any of the signs above, stick to slopes under 30 degrees or wind-sheltered terrain. If you see remotely triggered, widely propagating avalanches, or very long cracks, put lots of space between your group and any avalanche terrain over 30 degrees. On Saturday, observers reported these exact conditions on Jove Peak. The wind will form drifts overnight, but it may taper enough during the day that you don't see blowing snow. If that's the case, assume that any stiffened surfaces or other clues are very recent.

    (2/21/2026)

    In the neighboring Snoqualmie Pass zone, an unintentionally triggered, widely propagating avalanche from 2/21. N, 5500ft.  It's unconfirmed, but this slide may have failed on older persistent grains. 

    Photo: NWAC

Avalanche Discussion

The wind has delivered the necessary slab, creating dangerous conditions. Wind-stiffened snow will be in unusual areas, and may be obvious on one ridge, but non-existent on another. While isolated, you may even be able to trigger avalanches in open terrain below 5,000ft. East winds is typically driven by terrain. You'll find the most transport and slab development on slopes that are near passes, gaps, and long east-west running valleys. On steep, wind-sheltered slopes, you can still trigger loose avalanches. While they may be small and predictable, these avalanches could push them into gullies, trees, or cliffs. 

Light snowfall, dry conditions, and cold temperatures over the past 3 weeks have built widespread weak snow over crusts on most slopes. The wind and soon snowfall are adding the final element for very dangerous conditions. With more wind, snow, and warming temperatures forecast through next week, the region is primed to develop a dangerous, long-lasting, persistent slab hazard.

On Tuesday, an NWAC forecaster outside the Stevens Pass ski area boundary found plenty of weak snow surrounding a couple of crusts in the upper snowpack. We have limited information from upper elevations, above 6,000ft. If you travel there, we'd love to have your observations!

In the coming week, it's likely we'll see very reactive and dangerous conditions with avalanches on a widespread weak layer over a crust. Observers are already reporting widespread avalanches in other zones. On the 20th, an observer in Stevens Pass sidecounty reported collapsing around 4,500ft. On shaded, less sun-exposed slopes, there's 8-12" of soft, dry snow with a layer of weak facets and surface hoar (February 13th) immediately above the uppermost, thin crust (February 8th). About 10-14" below the surface, you'll find a more stout, thicker crust that resulted from warm temperatures and rain in late January and early February. On sunny, southeast through southwest slopes, there are numerous recent crusts with less overlying weak snow. Upper elevations will likely have a greater separation between crusts, with potentially more weak snow between them.

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